COUNCIL CONSIDERS LIFTING LICENCE OF PHARMACY SPECIALIZING IN METHADONE

NORTH DELTA - Council will hold a show cause hearing next Monday to
consider suspending the business licence of a new pharmacy that
specializes in dispensing methadone to heroin addicts.

Last October, Priority Drugs opened at 9409-120 Street after its owner
moved from a location at 135A Street in Surrey. "They're only open one
or two hours a day and actually bus their clients in," said Councillor
Scott Hamilton.

Area residents have complained about an increase in break-ins and
other problems since the business opened. In a pre-emptive move last
year, council passed a new bylaw to prohibit methadone dispensaries
from opening anywhere but hospital zones.

But the bylaw only applies to businesses that strictly deal with
methadone and not those that claim to be full pharmacies. A report to
council last week notes that the municipality can only get a court
injunction against the business if at least 65 per cent of the drug
store's gross floor space is not devoted to the display and sale of
general merchandise and health and beauty products. But the licence
can be suspended if a pharmacy isn't meeting other terms, including
not having methadone as its primary business, the report states.