CLINIC OPPONENTS PIPE UP

On Monday morning, residents of Saginaw and opponents of Shelby County's
first methadone clinic must crowd the county courthouse to show their true
feelings.

Do not allow an outside group to determine what businesses are located in
your community.

In January, a state agency based in Montgomery granted a Certificate of
Need to applicants for the county's first methadone clinic.

The applicants received approval for their proposal because the public,
including our elected officials, were unaware of the looming clinic.

Now, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Dan Reeves has heeded the demands of
concerned citizens in Saginaw who do not want the clinic, which treats drug
addicts with the controversial drug methadone, in their backyards.

Although Reeves will make his decision about whether or not to grant a
permanent injunction against the clinic without public input, he hears the
public's demands.

Make no mistake, public outcry surrounding this clinic influenced District
Attorney Robbie Owens and Reeves.

Owens has called for a new public hearing process in Montgomery, one that
will include Shelby County's input.