METHADONE CLINIC FIGHTS RELOCATION

Drug addicts could flood city emergency rooms if the city doesn't
grant a northeast methadone clinic some extra time to find a new home,
warns the recovery centre's executive director.

The city has told operators of Second Chance Recovery, which moved
three months ago from its downtown location to an industrial centre at
41 St. N.E. near Highfield Park, that it has to move because the area
isn't zoned for a medical clinic.

Bill Leslie, who runs the private clinic that caters to about 500
clients, about half the number in Calgary, said he understands the
city's stance but closing the doors with no back-up would leave
addicts on the road to recovery few options.

"If we closed our doors, the emergency rooms would be filled with
patients looking for pain killers, pharmacies would have to be
notified," said Leslie, who has been operating in Calgary for six years.

"The war on drugs has to start somewhere and unfortunately NIMBY ('Not
in my backyard') is alive and well."

Leslie said the majority of his clients are employed and are addicted
to prescription pain medication like OxyContin and morphine and about
85% operate opiate-free thanks to the centre. None of its clients stay
overnight at the facility.

The nearby Highfield Park Community Association complained to the city
about the operation that opened around the same time a 50-bed
addiction treatment centre opened in the same area.

But area Ald. Bob Hawkesworth said the difference is the Fresh Start
treatment facility worked with community leaders and got the proper
zoning while the methadone clinic set up shop without consulting with
residents or acquiring the proper permits.

"To lay a guilt trip if the city doesn't allow it isn't fair and
hopefully they take a different approach next time," he said.

"The community association is feeling a bit betrayed that their
goodwill has been taken advantage of -- nobody ever saw this area as a
focal point for all kinds of addiction services."

Hawkesworth said the city has provided Second Chance with a list of
properly zoned medical buildings that fills 31 pages and will work
with the operator to find a new home

In the meantime, Leslie said the centre will appear before the city's
Subdivision and Development Appeal Board next month to request an
extension of three to six months to find a new place to operate.