ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE OPENS

Thunder Bay is getting some help in fighting a growing drug problem
that's sweeping across Northwestern Ontario. A new methadone clinic
has opened its doors, to assist people addicted to opiate drugs.

The Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre opened on May Street this week.
Coordinator Deb Weekes says they've been seeing a steady stream of
clients ever since. Weekes says the clinic is for people addicted to
everything from Tylenol to heroin, including those who became addicted
by choice or those who initially had the medication prescribed to
them. Patients must register for the methadone treatment, which is an
oral liquid that helps reduce drug cravings.

Thunder Bay's Lakeview Clinic is also a methadone treatment centre but
has a waiting list so long it focuses mostly on high risk clients.