METHADONE CLINIC SEEKS NEW HOME

Clinic Given Three Months To Find A Welcoming Community

A zoning violation could drive the Second Chance Recovery centre, one
of Calgary's two methadone clinics, out of its current home and
negatively impact the 500 clients receiving methadone treatment for
drug addiction.

Last Tuesday, the city's subdivision and development appeal board
upheld a city directive ordering the clinic to relocate from the
northeast Greenview Industrial Park community and giving them a
three-month extension to find the new location.

The staff considered a move to the southeast community of Forest
Lawn, however that too saw backlash from community associations,
business owners, Ward four alderman Bob Hawkesworth and Ward 10
alderman Andre Chabot.

The clinic treats those addicted to heroin and morphine with
methadone, which can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

The City ordered the clinic to move from its northeast location in
January because the area is not zoned for medical use. The clinic
brought the order to the subdivision and development appeal board
committee, warning the closure would flood emergency rooms with
methadone patients who would be helpless without the treatment.

Hawkesworth argued that the clinic was not singled out because they
were a methadone clinic, but because they failed to get permission
for their old location and failed to comply with the city's land use bylaw.

"They were treated no differently than anyone else would have been
treated who was not in compliance with the planning rules," said Hawkesworth.

He said there are hundreds of locations across Calgary where
methadone can be administrated in compliance with the city's land use rules.

Hugh Ham, the clinic's lawyer, argued the three-month extension is
too short. The clinic needs to find a site, apply for a development
permit and review and approve construction before they can move.

"In one case, Alderman Chabot, who has no medical training or
expertise, attacked the clinic on the grounds that the treatment
offered, in his view, is of no value," said Ham. "That opinion is
contrary to the view of, among others, the College of Physicians and Surgeons."

Last week, Chabot told the Calgary Herald that using methadone to
help addicts was "like trying to wean a baby off chocolate using candy."

Ham explained the clinic is important to patients who need methadone
to recover from addictions.

He said there is a need for physicians with specific training and a
federal licence, in addition to regulated pharmacies. The only other
such clinic in Calgary, run by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Commission, has a three-month waiting list.

"Not all addicts are the street people depicted on television," he
said. "They can be fathers, mothers, siblings, doctors, lawyers or
accountants. Even street people deserve a second chance."

The war of words came as no surprise to University of Calgary
psychology professor David Hodgins. He said methadone is an extremely
effective treatment supported by a solid base of scientific evidence,
but people are still nervous about using a drug to combat a drug addiction.

Ham mentioned both Medicine Hat and Lethbridge have shown interest in
allowing the Second Chance Recovery clinic to set up there instead.