METHADONE CLINIC FINDS HOME

North Fair Oaks location faces opposition

After combing the Peninsula for months, San Mateo County's only
methadone clinic has found a North Fair Oaks location that county
planners, the landlord and clinic directors agree is ideal. Now
there's a new challenge: neighborhood outrage.

A groundswell of residents of the unincorporated neighborhood near
Redwood City, joined by homeowners in nearby Atherton, are battling
the clinic's relocation plans. The proposed clinic site is in a
mixed-use area near the railroad tracks.

The familiar chorus of neighborhood opposition to drug treatment
programs is in high pitch here. The county planning commission will
consider Professional Treatment Inc.'s application Wednesday, and
people are furiously faxing letters to public officials.

Leaders of an opposition petition drive say they will soon have 250
signatures. One resident vows she will sell her house if former drug
addicts start using her neighborhood; others say they fear for their
children's safety.

``I worked down the street from the clinic where it is right now, and
I've seen what's gone on,'' said Beatrice Ayotte, a six-year resident.
``I've watched them hang around on the railroad tracks and do ungodly
things you'd only do in a bathroom.''

But county officials and their local representatives on the elected
North Fair Oaks Community Council insist the clinic has found a good
home in a vacant site on Fifth Avenue. Public transportation,
including Caltrain and buses on El Camino Real, is only blocks away
and the surrounding area boasts a number of businesses. While only one
single-family home is adjacent to where the clinic would be located, a
residential neighborhood is nearby. And as homeowners express horror
at the idea of former addicts sharing their streets, local leaders say
the clinic is likely to improve the neighborhood, the most
crime-ridden in the Redwood City area. In March, the community council
voted unanimously in favor of granting the clinic a use permit.

``The participants are very, very dedicated to recovery, and most of
the people are working and trying to lead very responsible lives,''
said council member Terry Trobough. ``The caliber of people is much
higher than a lot of people who live in the community as far as the
gang members and amount of drug dealing going on now. I'd rather have
people who are responsible and taking control over their lives than
those still on the streets.''

Among the 330 patients are stockbrokers, graduate students and
construction workers as well as the unemployed and homeless. At least
half, if not more, stop in daily for sips of cherry-flavored methadone
on their way to work. Others bring their children with them. They pay
as much as $300 a month for the treatment, which allows them to stay
off heroin.

``The people who go to the methadone clinic are folks who have
admitted they have an illness and are dealing with it, they're not
criminals,'' said Supervisor Rich Gordon. ``That paints a very
different picture than the kinds of things we're hearing from people
in opposition to this.''

Open since 1972, the clinic is the only one of its kind between San
Jose and San Francisco. At its present site in downtown Redwood
City, it has operated relatively trouble-free and is considered a
clean and responsible neighbor, police say.

``We hardly ever notice them,'' said Redwood City police officer Eric
Stasiak.

Subject to strict state guidelines, the clinic allows no congregating
outside the facility. Most clients visit for less than five minutes in
the early morning hours, although doors remain open until 1 p.m. on
weekdays. State officials frequently arrive unannounced to conduct
random facility checks.

``I can appreciate the concern and the fear that some of the residents
have,'' said the clinic's director, Bill Edelman. ``It's unfortunate
that (the neighbors) have misinformation about what we're about. We're
about helping people who have requested help for their recovery. These
are people who are making a commitment to change.''

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED The San Mateo County Planning Commission will
hold a public hearing Wednesday before voting on Professional
Treatment Inc.'s use permit application. The meeting takes place at 10
a.m. at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road in Redwood City. Contact
Karen de Sa at kdesa@sjmercury.com or (650) 363-9393