METHADONE CLINIC MAY LOSE ITS LICENSE

The state has told Richmond's largest methadone clinic it plans to revoke
its license for allegedly compromising the health and welfare of its clients.

The allegations against Human Resources Inc.'s clinic, which supplies
methadone to about 300 heroin addicts each day, include failing to provide
adequate referrals for health, job training and rehabilitative services, as
well as intimidating clients to keep them from complaining.

Clinic staff also failed to test clients for illegal drugs - a mandatory
component of methadone programs - for about four weeks because of missing
supplies or broken plumbing, the state Department of Mental Health, Mental
Retardation and Substance Abuse Services allegations.

"The aim is not for the methadone to go on ad infinitum," department
spokesman Reed Boatright said yesterday.

"The aim is to develop individual plans that help them wind down, then
become productive citizens. And that's not being done."

The clinic, at 15 W. Cary St., is best known as Jump Street. Methadone
replaces the heroin, allowing the addict to function without going into
withdrawals.

The department notified HRI over the weekend after a three-week
investigation, which was prompted by a client's complaint. HRI must appeal
by March 12, or it must surrender the license.

HRI Executive Director Janet M. Sargent declined to comment yesterday,
saying she needed to learn more about the allegations first. The
allegations do not affect other drug and alcohol treatment services HRI
provides.

The state also notified the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, which
contracts with HRI to provide methadone. The agency is looking for an
alternative supplier should Jump Street close so treatment won't be
interrupted, authority director Lundi Martin said.

Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia is also
licensed for methadone treatment in Richmond, state officials said.

Boatright said the Department of Mental Health has given HRI a suggested
plan of action it could follow to try to save its license.

"It's not our aim to put the program out of business," he said. "We hope
they come into compliance."

The notice sent to HRI this week complained Jump Street "created conditions
that jeopardize the health, safety and well-being of the clients. This
includes ... no physician involvement in withholding methadone doses and
other serious medical issues." Clients also "have been reluctant to
disclose information for fear that HRI would withhold their methadone {and}
clients stated ... that they feel a threat of retaliation from HRI," the
notice said.

The department has cited HRI for a number of violations since 1995, and in
1997 the state issued only a provisional license, records show. Other
problems were noted in spring and summer of 1998.

"We've seen significant deterioration in the last six months," said
Charleen Whitehead, the department's director of licensure.

"Our concern is that they weren't providing comprehensive treatment
services," she said. "It should be all together - the treatment plan should
address their counseling needs, their rehabilitation needs and their
medical needs."