DRUG CZAR FAULTS DEAN FOR METHADONE STANCE

MONTPELIER - The nation's top drug official criticized Gov. Howard B.
Dean Wednesday for threatening to veto a bill that would make
methadone treatment available to heroin addicts in Vermont.

During remarks made at a national conference on methadone treatment in
San Francisco, Barry McCaffrey found fault with the governor's
arguments against using methadone maintenance treatment to combat
heroin addiction.

"I find that ... so set up nicely - like central casting stepped
forward to articulate a line of argument that doesn't make any sense,"
McCaffrey said, responding to one of Dean's concerns that a methadone
clinic would attract heroin addicts to Vermont. "... Does this mean
we're going to outlaw Prozac so that depressed, schizophrenic patients
won't move to Vermont?"

McCaffrey, director of the Office of National Drug Control, compared
Dean to New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who mounted an
unsuccessful effort two years ago to rid the city of methadone
clinics. McCaffrey was similarly critical of Giuliani's attempts in
1998.

"This should be an interesting test case," he said. "If Giuliani was
the test case for New York City, Gov. Dean may be the test case for
his state."

McCaffrey's comments came in response to a question from Mark Beresky,
a Vermonter who attended the American Methadone Treatment Association
Conference in San Francisco. Beresky, of Dummerston, is an advocate of
bringing methadone to Vermont and has testified before both Vermont
Senate and House committees in support of a bill that would open up
the treatment in the state. A former heroin addict, Beresky receives
methadone treatment from a clinic in Greenfield, Mass.

Dean has been vocal about his opposition to the use of methadone, a
synthetic narcotic that has been used for decades to blunt withdrawal
symptoms of heroin addicts.

Dean reiterated his objection to methadone treatment earlier
Wednesday, citing problems clinics cause in host communities. He could
not be reached Wednesday evening to comment on McCaffrey's remarks.

"The Legislature and I share a common goal - treating heroin
addiction. Where we strongly disagree is on the method to achieve that
goal," the governor said.

Dean said his opposition is based on his personal experience as a
physician and as a politician. He cites former heroin users who have
contacted him detailing the addictive effects of methadone when
misused and concerns from law enforcement officials who say clinics
are magnets for dealers and addicts.

The bill is now under review by the House Health and Welfare
Committee. It directs the Department of Health, in consultation with
an appointed advisory panel, to draft guidelines for a system of care
that combines counseling and pharmacological treatments. The proposal
cites three drug treatments that have been approved by the Federal
Drug Administration, including methadone.

The measure was passed in the Senate last month with enough votes to
override Dean's veto.

According to House lawmakers who support the bill, it is unclear if
there are enough House votes to withstand a veto.

Supporters are continuing to work on the proposal, with some
expressing hope a compromise could be reached.

"We have a (heroin) problem we have to do something about," said Rep.
Ann Pugh, D-South Burlington, vice chairwoman of the committee, after
a meeting with the governor Wednesday. "Right now, we're doing
something that isn't going to pass. Is there something acceptable?
We're talking."

Rep. Karen Kitzmiller, D-Montpelier, told fellow committee members
that she had met with the governor and was encouraged that a middle
ground could be found. Kitzmiller noted particularly a proposal she
pitched that would establish the clinics in certain hospitals that
were best equipped to deal with methadone. The hospital scenario
decreases the likelihood of clinics becoming drug dealer outposts
because of security and the difficulty in separating the methadone
patients from other patients, she said.

Dean acknowledged Kitzmiller's proposal as a good one Wednesday,
saying he is working with the committee to come up with an
alternative.

Dean did support one proposal on the bill offered by Rep. Paul
Poirier, D-Barre City, though it is doesn't appear to have the
necessary support to move out of committee. Poirier's amendment would
require the Legislature to revisit the matter next year before any
system is put in place.