RESIDENTS PROTEST METHADONE CLINIC

Opponents of a planned methadone clinic in Fayette County are
adamant that it's too close to public school buildings and its
client base would amplify the hazards on an already busy highway.

However, the solicitor for the county's zoning hearing board, which
awarded a special-exception permit for the clinic last May, counters
that nothing in the proposal suggests it would negatively affect the
health and welfare of Perry Township residents.

About 55 residents from the township and neighboring Perryopolis
attended a hearing Monday on the township supervisors' appeal of the
zoning board's approval of the permit.

About one-fourth of the residents wore red Frazier School District
T-shirts in support of their belief that the clinic proposed along
Route 51 near Rehoboth Church Road would endanger the schoolchildren
who would be less than a half-mile away.

Only the attorneys representing the parties were allowed to make
arguments, but residents said they hoped their turnout in opposition
to the clinic would persuade Judge Steve P. Leskinen to overturn the
zoning board's decision.

Leskinen asked the attorneys to submit any outstanding arguments or
documentation within a month and indicated he might rule within 45 to 50 days.

Methadone is a drug commonly used to ease the symptoms related to
withdrawal from drugs such as heroin.

"I have a 6-year-old and two 2-year-old twins who will not be able
to play in their yard without me being paranoid that something is
going to happen," said Sherry Rock, of Perryopolis, after the
70-minute hearing.

The proposed clinic would be operated by Steve Shaner, the co-owner
of Alliance Medical Services, at a former tractor repair and sales shop.

Shaner, former head of Washington County's drug and alcohol
commission, has said the clinic would be used to treat people on a
voluntary basis. He runs three other clinics, including one in North
Union Township, Fayette County.

Township supervisors are contesting the clinic because they say
property owner Lawrence Bujdos has not given county officials a
traffic study and that the building does not have access to public
water or sewage.

Township Solicitor Donald McCue said the traffic study is important
because testimony at the zoning hearing estimated that 250 clients
might visit the clinic daily.

Gretchen Mundorff, the zoning board's solicitor, argued the board
has no authority to legislate the clinic's driveway, while water and
sewage access is controlled by other agencies.

In its resolutions, the board stipulates that a permit holder must
be in compliance with state and federal regulations to operate, she said.

Mundorff also disputed McCue's estimation of the client base. She
said the clinic will have 250 patients per month, stopping in for a
15-minute visit between the hours of 5:30 and 11 a.m.

The methadone will not impair the patient's ability to drive safely
or work after their visit, Mundorff said.

"It's going to function like a doctor's office, but safer, because
there's no red-bag waste," Mundorff said, referring to infectious waste.