METHADONE CLINIC SUBJECT OF STATE PROBE

United Community Services Inc., the only methadone treatment center for
heroin addicts in central Iowa, is under investigation by the Iowa
Department of Public Health, state officials confirmed Thursday.

"The nature of the investigation is confidential, and there is an unlimited
time to conduct it," said Janet Zwick, director of the health department's
Division of Substance Abuse and Health Promotion. "We will try to get
through it as soon as possible. . . . I do not see an imminent danger of
its closing."

Even if United Community Services, located at 1310 19th St., closes as a
result of the investigation, "I think it is extremely important that we
have a methadone center in Des Moines," Zwick said. "Other arrangements
will be made" so addicts can receive the heroin substitute treatment.

United Community Services Director Robin Essandoh said he believes the
investigation was spurred by separate complaints made by one of the
clinic's 96 methadone treatment clients and a former staff member.

The client reportedly agreed in 1998 to do remodeling work in the office in
lieu of paying a client fee, Essandoh said. The staff member who made the
arrangement was not authorized to do so, said Essandoh, who was not told of
the deal.

The client was billed for his treatment, then complained to the state that
despite his work, the agency threatened to withhold treatment from him,
Essandoh said. "We have resolved that complaint with the client. The client
has told the state that his complaint has been resolved."

Although most of the agency's yearly $440,000 budget comes from the federal
and state governments, clients must pay for treatment on a sliding scale
based on their ability to pay, Essandoh said. Client fees can run from $25
to $170 a month.

Many clients have fallen months behind on their bills, causing difficulties
for the center. The money crisis became so acute the agency has fallen
behind on the taxes it must withhold from employees' pay, the director said.

"If we do not get our financial affairs in order, there will be no agency,"
Essandoh said.

All clients have been told to bring their accounts up to date, arrange to
make partial payments or be dropped from the program, he said.

Complicating the situation is staff turnover, including the departure of
the agency's founder, William Shepherd, in February. Shepherd started the
agency in 1993 after another methadone treatment clinic closed amid a
federal investigation of improper accounting procedures. He stepped down as
director in 1997 but served as a clinical affairs consultant until leaving
in February.

Essandoh declined to discuss specifics about Shepherd.

There is also infighting about who is serving as a board member. At one
time the agency had seven members. Officially, there are now five board
members, said board president John Harlan.

Board member Sue Boagard said she believes the number and composition of
the board is also being investigated.

* THE CLINIC: United Community Services Inc. in Des Moines is the only
methadone treatment clinic in central Iowa. There are similar clinics in
Davenport, Cedar Falls and Council Bluffs.

* ANNUAL BUDGET: $440,000.

* EMPLOYEES: Four full time, six part time.

* CURRENT CLIENTS: 96 in the methadone program. There are 35 in the
clinic's other outpatient substance-abuse programs.

* WHAT IT DOES: Heroin addicts take methadone as a substitute for the
illegal drug. Methadone is a controlled substance -a narcotic - but does
not induce the same effects as heroin. Some users remain dependent on
methadone for decades.