DHEC GIVES GAFFNEY METHADONE CLINIC APPROVAL

The owner of a Spartanburg methadone clinic has received approval from the
state Department of Health and Environmental Control to open a similar
clinic in Gaffney.

The certificate of need is in the mandatory 10-day stay that allows anyone
wishing to protest to voice concerns to DHEC. Barring any protest, the
facility will receive final approval Jan. 11, said Jerry Grice of DHEC.

It will be between two and three months after Brady receives approval before
his clinic opens.

Gaffney Treatment Associates will be located in the adjacent suite to Dr.
David Lydon's office at 103 Stuard St.

Brent Brady, the owner of Spartanburg Treatment Associates, said many of his
clients make the 30-minute commute from Gaffney to Spartanburg for
treatment.

Methadone, a legally prescribed synthetic drug, is used to treat people
addicted to opiates like heroin, morphine and prescription pain killers like
Oxycontin, Lortab and Vicodin.

When addicts begin treatment, they must initially take methadone daily. Some
addicts stay on methadone for years before they're weaned off and completely
drug free.

Opponents of methadone treatment say an opiate addict is trading one drug
addition for another.

Brady said the clinic would be staffed with pharmacists, nurses, doctors and
counselors.

DHEC regulations prohibit methadone clinics from operating within 500 feet
of schools, parks, churches and residential areas.

Grice said his agents look at a number of factors before approving or
denying an application. DHEC currently allows for only one clinic for each
county in the state unless population demands require more.

In 2003, the latest statistics available from DHEC, 2,219 people in the
state were treated using methadone.

There are 10 methadone clinics in the state with three in the review
process.

Robert Strait, treatment director with the Cherokee County Commission of
Alcohol and Drug Abuse, wouldn't say whether he supports the use of
methadone treatment.

"I will say that if a person who's addicted to opiates comes to us for
treatment, we would likely put them in an inpatient or outpatient detox
center and then follow-up with counseling," Strait said.

Withdrawal symptoms from opiates include nervousness, depression, muscle
aches and pains, excessive sweating and anxiety, making it difficult for an
addict to function without treatment, Strait said.

The county commission agency treats those addicted to alcohol and marijuana
the most often, followed by opiates, Strait said.

"It used to be a bigger problem than it is now because the prescriptions
were easier to get," Strait said. "I think we've seen a decrease in the past
couple of years with the number of clients who have a problem with opiates."