TRI-CITIES NEED METHADONE CLINIC

Since the closure of the only Tri-City methadone clinic more than 12 years
ago and despite drug czar Barry McCaffery's recent speech encouraging the
use of such centers, it remains very difficult for addicts to find methadone
maintenance treatment (MMT) locally.

While largercities are improving attempts to stem the use of heroin through
treatments such as MMT, there still are virtually no new clinics in the
area. The Tri-Cities has many people addicted to hard drugs, such as heroin
and cocaine. For the addict popultation---which is growing rapidly and
leading to increases in theft, violence and the spread of disease---there is
little more than abstinance-based treatment and 12-step meetings. The
outcome of inpatient and outpatient treatment and 12-step meetingsrarely is
successfull. Usually, only about 1 percent to 2 percent remain sober, and
many people end up in the hands of relapse, jail, or death (from
impurities).

Methadone maintenance has a success rate above fifty -percent. But despite
the need, the closest clinic for MMT is in Yakima---too far for Tri-Citians.

Therefore, it is time to call your local congressman and request that more
MMT clinics be opened. The Tri-Cities needs more treatment options to stop
the spread of disease and drug use, and MMT is an excellent option with
which to begin.