CONTESTED CLINIC OPENS ITS DOORS IN LYNNWOOD

LYNNWOOD — A methadone clinic against which the city has fought for nearly
18 months opened quietly Monday to treat its first nine patients.

Some City Council members and police last week toured the medical office at
18631 Alderwood Mall Parkway. The clinic's location, adjacent to Toys R Us
and about half a mile from Lynnwood High School, sparked protests by
residents and prompted several legal challenges by the city.

The city lost its most recent battle in the state Court of Appeals on March
1, when the court told the city to process the building permits and license
for WCHS, a firm that also operates methadone clinics in Renton and Federal
Way. Methadone is an opiate substitute administered at state-licensed clinics.

"We were forced by the courts," said Lynnwood City Councilman Ted Hikel,
who added that the city still thinks the state Division of Alcohol and
Substance Abuse had not adequately consulted with the city about the
potential for a methadone clinic within its borders.

The city hasn't given up its legal battle. On Monday, it asked the state
Supreme Court to overturn the appellate-court decision.

"I can't for the life of me understand why the city of Lynnwood continues
to spend taxpayer dollars fighting this. It astounds me," said Ken Stark,
the director of the substance-abuse division.

According to a law enacted by the state Legislature in 2002, cities cannot
prohibit essential facilities but can restrict their location through
zoning. Lynnwood said it didn't know about the legislation until WCHS
submitted its business applications. The city refused to process the
applications and was sued by WCHS.

But in the face of rulings against it in Snohomish County Superior Court
and the Court of Appeals, the city issued permits for the clinic in March.

The last hurdle for the clinic, state certification, was granted April 14,
and other tenants of the Alderwood Professional Building were informed Friday.

Dr. Don Floyd, a podiatrist who has had his office in the building for
almost 20 years, said he remained concerned about building security. He
said building managers had not added internal locks or security personnel.

But David Newman, the director of the clinic, said he and his staff will be
"extremely vigilant" about security issues. He said treatment for drug
addicts will make the community safer in the long run.

The first patients to come to the clinic were transfers from WCHS' other
facilities who live in the Lynnwood area.

Similar clinics have opened in the past year in Everett and near Arlington.

Lynn Thompson: 425-745-7807 or lthompson@seattletimes.com