INDUSTRIAL AREAS EYED FOR CLINICS

Hoping to reduce the amount of fear and opposition to a controversial
methadone clinic in Calgary, a city alderman is proposing similar
treatment centres be allowed in industrial areas.

Ald. Brian Pincott will today bring a motion forward to city council
suggesting light-industrial areas permit the development of methadone
clinics, which are not currently included in the land use bylaw.

"The challenge we've had in trying to find a location for one of
these is quite something," said Pincott.

"So let's add them, let's look at adding them to industrial areas."

Earlier this month, hundreds of residents in Braeside spoke out
against such a facility in their neighbourhood, opposing the Second
Chance Recovery methadone clinic that was looking to set up shop in a
local strip mall.

Pincott said if the clinics were allowed to open in industrial areas,
there may be less aversion from citizens.

"I'm not saying let's not put them in residential communities, I'm
just saying let's include light-industrial areas as possible
locations," he said.

"It just opens the realm of possibility for where we can put them."

Pincott said he believes Braeside residents formed opinions about
what having a methadone clinic in their community would mean without
being informed of all the facts.

"In Braeside, people were reacting to the fears, not the facts and we
need to get the facts out there and address the real info," he said.
"The solution is public engagement."

The motion scheduled to be brought before council today also
addresses whether methadone clinics should be separate from medical
facilities and therefore fall under their own zoning bylaws. Pincott
said even if the idea is supported, it will take approximately six
months to have the zoning changes made.