METHADONE CLINIC BILLS GENERATING LOTS OF DEBATE

BRISTOL, Va. - The number of General Assembly bills to change how the state
licenses methadone clinics is growing in the wake of three proposals to
open such clinics in Southwest Virginia.

Sen. William C. Wampler Jr., R-Bristol, on Wednesday introduced the latest
of five bills in the House and Senate in reaction to plans to open
methadone substance-abuse treatment clinics in Roanoke, Roanoke County and
Washington County.

Wampler's version contains elements of two pairs of identical House-Senate
bills that would:

* prohibit establishment of methadone clinics within a half-mile of schools;

* require the state Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and
Substance Abuse Services to notify the local governing body and community
services board within 15 days of a license application in that locality; and

* allow local governments to submit comments to the commissioner of the
state Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse
Services within 30 days of receiving notice of an application.

Wampler said his bill contains some differences, including a requirement
for a public hearing on an application, to be held by the local government;
expanding the site buffer zone protection to licensed day care centers; and
requiring the state department's commissioner to consider public hearing
comments before deciding whether to grant a clinic license.

The senator said his bill does not include a provision he hopes to see
added as an amendment - an exemption for methadone clinics established in
hospitals within the half-mile restricted areas. Such an amendment would
make the law comply with federal disability protections.

"Actually, it's generating a lot of debate," Wampler said when asked about
reactions to his legislation. "I think it promotes (debate) on anything
from abstinence to what is the appropriate setting for methadone treatment,
and that's got to be a healthy debate."

Washington County officials in December learned of Appalachian Treatment
Services' plan to open a methadone clinic on Old Dominion Road near the
Lowry Hills community and John S. Battle High School.

The county could make a decision later this month whether the clinic meets
county zoning and building code requirements.

"Most of the people I've talked to about the particular circumstances of
Washington County, they're taken aback that it'd be so close to a school,"
Wampler said.