METHADONE BILL MISGUIDED

This letter is in reply to the Jan. 20 article by Kathy Still, "State
Senate approves Meth bill." How sad that a bill based on glaring
misconceptions would "fly" through the Senate.

Southwest Virginia is being plagued by overdose deaths from the illicit use
of prescription narcotics, and our state senators want to prevent the most
effective treatment from reaching this population.

Methadone maintenance for opioid addiction has been proven to be an
effective treatment and will help decrease crime and deaths in an area. By
preventing a methadone clinic from being established, the problem will only
get worse. You cannot ignore it and hope it will go away.

Mary Lynn Mathre, Executive Director ARS Pantops Methadone Clinic,
Charlottesville, Va.