METHADONE CLINIC HAS EARNED CHANCE

The loss of Second Chance Recovery is a blow to both drug addicts
seeking treatment and to the city's reputation. The closure of the
methadone clinic could have been avoided had aldermen shown a
willingness to address residents'concerns with facts, or seek another
solution, such as changing the zoning law to allow the clinic in an
industrial park.

Now Calgary looks like a city that would rather deny the existence of
social problems than deal with them. And contributing, law-abiding
taxpayers such as Rick Gabrylewicz will suffer. The 33-year-old
became addicted to the commonly prescribed painkiller OxyContin after
falling seven metres at a construction site and hurting his back. "I
don't understand what the problem is," he told the Herald. "I am an
iron worker, I make$100,000 a year. I am just here to get off medication."

The problem is a lack of leadership. The clinic's operators are tired
of fighting City Hall, and who can blame them. They've been shut down
three times in six years, and have reasonably concluded Calgary will
not support the clinic.

The not-in-my-backyard feelings are somewhat understandable, as many
of us at first blush would not want such a clinic in our
neighbourhoods. The fault lies with civic leaders, who in some cases
even fuelled the emotions of fear with false information.

Ald. Andre Chabot opposed the medical clinic in his ward,
successfully forcing it out of a northeast industrial park. He
publicly questioned the value of giving methadone to drug addicts,
and likened it to: "trying to wean a baby off chocolate (by) using candy."

The clinic relocated to a residential neighbourhood in the southwest
quadrant. The community let its outrage be known, leading to the
operator's decision to shut down permanently.

Unfortunately, an outstanding legal issue prevented the clinic from
attending a community meeting to discuss the concerns. Ald. Brian
Pincott, who supports the clinic in his ward, attended, but lacked
the expertise to answer important questions.

Methadone used as a detox medication is controversial because it is a
synthetic opiate, used to treat opioid dependency. Addictions range
from heroin and cocaine to prescription medication.

Those being treated early on in the process are most at risk of
falling off the wagon. Without the treatment, the recovery of all 500
patients is now at risk.

Police say they have never recorded increased crime rates where
clinics have been located, and are more concerned about the impact
the closure will have on the city.

Council has got to stop picking and choosing which citizens it will
represent, and start fighting for the interests of all residents,
including those addicted to hard and soft drugs.

Society's treatment of social issues is complex, but this solution
could not be easier. Amend the new zoning bylaw so that the clinic
can locate to a light industrial park. Why not just do that, and keep
everyone happy?