News (Media Awareness Project) - US WV: Methadone Clinics Put On Hold |
| Title: | US WV: Methadone Clinics Put On Hold |
| Published On: | 2004-01-22 |
| Source: | Charleston Gazette (WV) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-18 23:40:02 |
METHADONE CLINICS PUT ON HOLD
Moratorium To Allow Time For Rules To Take Shape
With methadone clinic No. 15 knocking at West Virginia's door, the state
Health Care Authority voted Wednesday to temporarily halt new clinics.
"We're concerned about going from zero to 15 in a real short span of time,"
said HCA Chairwoman Sonia Chambers. "We're concerned about adequate
regulations."
West Virginia has no state regulations on methadone clinics. Since 2001,
seven for-profit clinics have sprung up in West Virginia. Eight more have
asked permission to open. The clinics sell methadone, a highly addictive
legal drug, for about $12 a day to people who are trying to kick heroin,
OxyContin or some other illegal opioid. The legal methadone is supposed to
replace the illegal drug, allowing the client to lead a law-abiding life.
"Methadone is a viable treatment option," Chambers said. "It helps a lot of
people."
The moratorium will last 180 days, or until state health plan standards are
developed for methadone clinics. It will allow policy-makers "to kind of
take a step back," Chambers said, to decide how West Virginia should
regulate the new business.
The Legislature is expected to take up a bill this session to regulate
methadone clinics.
HCA member Sam Kapourales voted for the moratorium, along with Chambers.
The HCA's third member, Marilyn White, "could not be here today," Chambers
said, "but she wanted me to be clear on the record that she would support
this moratorium as well."
White is from the Northern Panhandle, where residents opposed to an
incipient methadone clinic - which was to open above a Weirton bowling
alley six months ago - prompted the HCA to ask the clinic's parent company
to find a more suitable location within the city. The clinic still has not
opened.
Kapourales lives in Williamson, where West Virginia's newest methadone
clinic opened in May. It seems to be getting quite a few clients, he said -
including some from across the Kentucky border, where methadone is more
strictly regulated.
"It's busy every time I go by," he said.
Moratorium To Allow Time For Rules To Take Shape
With methadone clinic No. 15 knocking at West Virginia's door, the state
Health Care Authority voted Wednesday to temporarily halt new clinics.
"We're concerned about going from zero to 15 in a real short span of time,"
said HCA Chairwoman Sonia Chambers. "We're concerned about adequate
regulations."
West Virginia has no state regulations on methadone clinics. Since 2001,
seven for-profit clinics have sprung up in West Virginia. Eight more have
asked permission to open. The clinics sell methadone, a highly addictive
legal drug, for about $12 a day to people who are trying to kick heroin,
OxyContin or some other illegal opioid. The legal methadone is supposed to
replace the illegal drug, allowing the client to lead a law-abiding life.
"Methadone is a viable treatment option," Chambers said. "It helps a lot of
people."
The moratorium will last 180 days, or until state health plan standards are
developed for methadone clinics. It will allow policy-makers "to kind of
take a step back," Chambers said, to decide how West Virginia should
regulate the new business.
The Legislature is expected to take up a bill this session to regulate
methadone clinics.
HCA member Sam Kapourales voted for the moratorium, along with Chambers.
The HCA's third member, Marilyn White, "could not be here today," Chambers
said, "but she wanted me to be clear on the record that she would support
this moratorium as well."
White is from the Northern Panhandle, where residents opposed to an
incipient methadone clinic - which was to open above a Weirton bowling
alley six months ago - prompted the HCA to ask the clinic's parent company
to find a more suitable location within the city. The clinic still has not
opened.
Kapourales lives in Williamson, where West Virginia's newest methadone
clinic opened in May. It seems to be getting quite a few clients, he said -
including some from across the Kentucky border, where methadone is more
strictly regulated.
"It's busy every time I go by," he said.
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