METHADONE CLINIC CLEARED BY COURT PANEL

ANTIOCH -- A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco yesterday
denied the city of Antioch's request to block a methadone clinic from moving
into an office complex near a residential neighborhood.

The decision to deny the city's request for a stay of a lower court decision
in favor of the clinic clears the way for the clinic for heroin addicts to
open in a office complex on Sunset Lane.

The battle over the clinic is not over, however.

The panel of judges still has to hear the city's appeal of the lower court
ruling that Antioch's ordinance banning methadone clinics within 500 feet of
homes or schools is unlawful.

The city is expected to submit its brief on Friday, setting in motion a
months-long hearing.

``It means there are no barriers to the clinic opening in an office they've
been paying rent for over a year,'' said Monique Olivier, a lawyer
representing Bay Area Addiction Research and Treatment, which plans to open
the clinic in Antioch.

Residents protested the clinic opening in their neighborhood, fearing it
would bring drug dealing and other crime to the area. Clinic officials
maintain that their clients are harmless and that they are protected by the
Americans With Disabilities Act.

Methadone is a synthetic narcotic that helps stabilize cravings while
addicts attempt to kick the habit.

Antioch City Attorney Bill Galstan could not be reached.