NORTHAM REJECTS CLINIC

ANTI-DRUG crusader George O'Neil has failed in his bid to house 18
heroin addicts in a disused hospital building in Northam.

Northam Town Council has rejected Dr O'Neil's application. He has
appealed to Planning Minister Graham Kierath.

The proposed clinic was to be near the centre of Northam, 97km
north-east of Perth.

Dr O'Neil's company, Australian Medical Procedures Research
Foundation, bought the old hospital for $350,000 in March. The
controversial doctor had applied to establish a clinic in the
nurses"quarters of the old hospital.

Dr O'Neil, who treats addicts at his Subiaco clinic, wanted to send 18
patients to Northam for naltrexone treatment after rapid
detoxification in the city.

On Wednesday, Northam Town Council voted 8-2 against Dr O'Neil's
proposal. The council accused him of failing to consult and convince
the community of the benefits of his plan.

Dr O'Neil said the council made a subjective and flawed decision.

Council chief executive Don Burnett said 1283 public submissions
opposed the clinic and 135 supported it. He said the community
believed there was no demand for the clinic in Northam. It could lead
to increased pressure on local health and police resources.

Dr O'Neil said similar clinics had been accepted by communities in
Mandurah, Kalgoorlie and Geraldton.

Northam National MLA Max Trenorden said he supported Dr O'Neil's plan
but he would not go against his community's wishes. He believed the
clinic would go ahead after government intervention.

Plans by a Northam businessman for a drug rehabilitation farm in the
South-West have also been rejected. There is some country support for
the Catholic Church Crossroads drug treatment program.

Father Paul Baczynski, who runs the program, said he was negotiating
with an unnamed country council for the approval of a drug treatment
farm.