SCHOOL BOARD OPPOSES METHADONE CLINIC PLANS

ABINGDON - Washington County School Board members voiced unanimous
disapproval of the proposed location of a methadone clinic near a county
school Monday night.

"We are opposed to a methadone clinic in proximity to any Washington County
schools due to concern for students' safety," was the message approved that
will be delivered to the Board of Supervisors and county administrator.

In December, county officials learned that Appalachian Treatment Services
of Greenville, S.C., had plans to open a methadone clinic on Old Dominion
Road near Bristol Virginia. The site is about 1,650 feet away from John S.
Battle High School as the crow flies and about 3,250 feet away by car.

"We're not taking a stand on the efficacy of methadone therapy," Chairwoman
Elizabeth Lowe said. "This is a bad location and we're concerned about an
increase in traffic in that area."

Clinic operators said the clinic could serve as many as 200 clients seeking
relief from their addiction to opiate drugs like heroin and the
prescription painkiller oxycodone.

Board Vice Chairwoman Kathi Roark said the flow of student traffic on to
and off of Lee Highway at the school is already dangerous without any of
the congestion expected to be created by clinic clients.

Roark said she has also heard strong disapproval of the clinic from those
in the community served by the high school.

Indeed, more than 100 residents of the Lowry Hills subdivision have
attended the past two Board of Supervisors meetings in protest of the
clinic. The subdivision's only entrance is Old Dominion, on which the
clinic would be located.

While clinic supporters suggest there is no evidence of an increase in
crime tied to new methadone clinics, opponents said it's not worth taking a
chance. They said they would like to see the clinic located near a hospital
or other medical facility and away from schools, churches and homes.

Board member Buckey Boone said he believes that the county should rewrite
zoning ordinances to outlaw methadone clinics near schools, but he wasn't
sure how any change in local law would affect the clinic since the group
has already applied for a license with the state and for zoning approval
from the county.

Clinic operators have asked County Administrator Mark Reeter for a
certificate of occupancy - a technical approval that a methadone clinic
would be allowed according to the county's zoning rules.

The land is zoned for general business.

Although the code allows for some medical facilities such as offices for
doctors and dentists, clinic opponents said a methadone clinic does not
fall into those classifications.

Whether the certificate will be issued is an entirely administrative
decision. County officials said they expect that decision to be made soon.