NO PROBLEMS AT NEW CLINIC, POLICE SAY

Horry County's first methadone clinic has been open for almost a
month, and Horry County police report no problems at the clinic,
despite the concerns of residents that the clinic would bring crime
and drugs to the area.

It's unknown whether the clinic staff at Center of Hope, near Fantasy
Harbour, have distributed any methadone to their clients. Many nearby
business owners weren't aware the clinic had opened.

Clinic directors would not comment for this story, and the clinic's
attorney did not return phone calls. They said earlier they were
setting up appointments with clients but would not discuss whether
they were prescribing methadone yet.

Nearby residents, business owners and the parents of children who
attend a nearby school successfully convinced the county's zoning
board to reconsider its approval of the clinic.

The Board of Adjustments and Zoning Appeals will decide Thursday
whether to shut the clinic down.

The clinic hasn't caused any problems that were reported to police,
according to Lt. Dale Buchanan of the Horry County Police Department.

"We haven't had anything out of the ordinary at all," Buchanan
said.

The clinic may be so new that not many clients have gone to it yet,
said S.C. Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, who leads the opposition to
the clinic.

He also said the clinic's directors may be keeping a low profile until
the zoning board meeting to decide its fate. When Viers has driven by
to look at the clinic, the parking lot has been completely empty, he
said.

"They may be trying to minimize ... their actions until the hearing,"
Viers said. "The past couple of weeks are really no reflection on how
this clinic would operate [after the hearing.]"

The clinic sits on the former site of the Platinum 501 club, which
closed two years ago after repeated problems with crime, including a
nonfatal shooting. Across the street is a Burger King, closed after
two employees were shot and killed there two years ago. A defunct
McDonald's sits near the clinic, as well.

The loudest objections to the clinic have come from parents of
children who attend the charter Bridgewater Academy and the Little
Peoples' College around the corner from the clinic.

Parents have sat in their cars across the street from the clinic to
see what types of clients are coming to the clinic, according to Carol
Merrill, head of the two schools.

So far, Merrill said, no parents have witnessed any suspicious
behavior.

"They didn't see any problems," Merrill said. "Everybody looked pretty
decent."

Still, Merrill said she is concerned the clinic could bring addicts -
recovering or not - too close for the school's comfort. She said
parents and school officials will continue to protest the clinic.

Last month, the county tried to shut the clinic down until next week's
vote, but a judge ruled the clinic had the right to open until
Thursday's hearing.

The county approved the clinic's plans in July 2002 and later issued a
business license. But public outcry prompted Viers to petition the
county to reconsider. Nearly 1,000 people signed petitions calling for
the clinic's closure. More than 100 people protested the clinic at an
emotional hearing last month in which the zoning board voted to reconsider.

At Thursday's meeting, the board again will hear from both sides about
the merits of methadone treatment and its effect on the community.
Viers said police officers and physicians will be on hand to oppose
the clinic.

"It will be a full-court press," Viers said.