METHADONE CLINIC COULD BE SETTING UP DOWNTOWN ALLISTON

ALLISTON - Downtown Alliston business owners have concerns and are
even threatening to close if a methadone treatment clinic opens on
Victoria Street West.

Incoming chair of the Alliston Business Improvement Association
Janette Vander Zaag told New Tecumseth council Monday night that
renovations are being made to a unit at 96 Victoria St. W. for a
methadone clinic. The unit is accessed at the back of the building,
where there are also entrances for Curves and the Good Shepherd Food Bank.

She said the clinic will be run by Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC).

Methadone is used to treat opiate addiction, which includes people
dependent on heroin, methadone, Percocet, OxyContin and morphine,
among other drugs.

Vander Zaag said a contractor was working in the unit without the
proper town permits. Because of that the contractors were issued a
stop-work order.

As the owner of Groundswell Coffeehouse, also located at 96 Victoria
St. W., she said if the methadone clinic goes ahead at that location
she won't continue business there. She said other downtown business
owners have also expressed concern.

While not opposed to a methadone clinic in general, Vander Zaag said
she is opposed to having it in the downtown core. Vander Zaag is set
to make a complete deputation to council about her concerns with the
methadone treatment clinic at Monday night's council meeting, which
starts at 7 p.m. in council chambers, 10 Wellington St. E.

The location for the clinic falls in Ward 1, which is represented by
Coun. Bob Marrs, who said he hasn't received any phone calls
concerning the clinic yet.

The first time he heard about the clinic was at the committee of the
whole meeting Monday night.

"I need more information before getting involved in it," said Marrs,
adding he has been looking into the treatment this week.

The OATC has not responded to requests to talk about the Alliston
clinic. The OATC website boasts being "the country's largest network
of methadone clinics." They also have clinics in Barrie and Newmarket.

In Alliston, the Alliston Family Pharmacy on Parsons Road has been
dispensing physician prescribed methadone to clients for about five years.