HEAT GROWS AGAINST METHADONE-CLINIC PLAN

Officials: Methadone Plan Bad For Downtown

LOWELL - City councilors last night mounted an aggressive crusade to
keep a methadone clinic out of downtown Lowell.

Councilor Eileen Donoghue demanded details on opening a clinic, and
suggested the state Department of Public Health be informed of how
close schools are to the proposed site.

"To put this across the street from the second-largest high school in
the state, it makes me wonder if the (DPH) has even reviewed this,"
she said. "I want to make sure we're aggressive on the city side on
this, including if the city has to take action against the Department
of Public Health." Last week, two men met with Police Superintendent
Edward Davis and Lowell Plan President James Cook and suggested
putting a methadone clinic at 35 John St. The location is not only
feet away from the Lowell High school, it's also right next door to
the Lowell Alternative High School. City Manager John Cox vowed to
keep a close watch on the proposal, adding that he "had a good
conversation," with 35 John St. landlord Louis Saab. "Clearly this
has created some concern with business members and residents in the
community," Cox said. "This is a situation which is still fluid, but
we are preparing ourselves to go forward. There is nothing formally
before the city, but we will continue to monitor the situation." DPH
officials have the authority to license such a clinic, but a license
application hasn't been submitted yet, said DPH spokeswoman Donna
Rheaume. It takes between three and six months to consider an
application, during which time state officials would consider any
community opposition. The DPH will also consider the proximity to
schools, Sen. Steven Panagiotakos said. The proposed location is 137
feet from Lowell High School's Freshman Academy. "That's well below
the 1,000-foot radius," said Panagiotakos, referring to the state
laws that make it illegal to sell drugs within a "school zone." City
Health Director Frank Singleton was investigating whether any city
permits were needed to open the clinic.

City Councilor Rodney Elliot argued that social services should stop
using Lowell as a "dumping ground." "I don't know why Lowell is
always looked at as a home for these things," Elliott said. "They
keep creeping up. I don't think we are the answer to all these social
services." Cox said he would stay in touch with Panagiotakos and
other state representatives, and keep city councilors appraised of
any action on the clinic. The two men who presented their methadone
clinic idea to city officials last Friday have either declined to be
interviewed or couldn't be reached over the course of two days.

One of the men, Leonard Pudt, is the owner of a Fall River
physical-therapy clinic called National Physical Therapy.

Pudt, of Easton, has declined to answer Sun questions on three
separate occasions, instead referring questions to Joseph M. Chery.
Chery's business card lists him as director of community development
for Relief Associates LLC, of Watertown. The telephone number listed
on Chery's business card rings at Middlesex Physical Therapy, 75
Middlesex St. Attempts to reach Chery at there were unsuccessful.
Directory assistance has no listing for Relief Associates LLC, in Watertown.

According to secretary of state records, the limited liability
partnership's address is 60 Arsenal St., Watertown. The same address
belongs to Alford & Bertrand, a law firm.

Pudt is listed as a manager of the corporation, as is Myrna Alford of
Newton Centre; Felix Shlosman of Brookline; and Alex Schmidt of
Brookline. According to state records, the "general character of the
LLC" is the operation of drug treatment clinics.

Meanwhile, Ken Powers, executive director of Lowell House, a
substance-abuse counseling service on Merrimack Street, said Lowell
doesn't need another methadone clinic.

"We have more than enough services in town," said Powers, himself a
licensed drug and alcohol counselor.

Lowell 's existing methadone clinic is operated by Boston-based Habit
Management on Suffolk Street in Lowell. It also operates similar
facilities in Fitchburg and Lawrence, in addition to 10 other
locations across the state. Powers said if there is indeed an
increased demand, then Habit Management would be more than willing to
meet the demand.

"It's a business," said Powers. "It's a money-making business."
Echoing a similar sentiment, Singleton said he is unaware of any
increased demand. "No one is beating down my door for this service,"
said Singleton. Rheaume said it's up to the community to determine
whether there is local need. "Local input is critical" in any
application procedure, said Rheaume. Councilor Rita Mercier said
putting a methadone clinic in downtown Lowell is as bad as putting in
a strip club.

"This issue is right up there with putting an adult entertainment
center downtown," Mercier said last night. "I'm just as disgusted as
everybody else."