OPPOSED TO CLINIC

This is in response to your Dec. 21 Sunday Centerpiece, "A Bitter
Pill."

I am a Tazewell County resident and would like Washington County
residents to be aware of what occurred in our area. When Life Center
of Galax-Tazewell proposed to open a methadone treatment facility off
Route 19 in Wardell, there were over 375 signatures of residents who
opposed the clinic. Our elected county officials ignored this.

Also in the "Bitter Pill" article, there were local citizens offering
support for this facility. I feel Veronica and Buddy McGlothlin are
biased because they own the property/building that LCG-Tazewell
operates from. They know that many people in the area are still
opposed to a methadone clinic in operation in our county.

The clinic has had numerous clients in traffic accidents due to
individuals' high dosage levels; the traffic congestion the clinic has
caused creates much turmoil within its operating vicinity and crime is
no lower in the area than it was before LCG-Tazewell began operating.

I just want to make sure Washington County residents are aware of
their officials' decisions and that a methadone clinic in our area has
not accomplished anything, except make its owners' wealthier, due to
individuals' poor decisions to abuse opiates.

Tommy A. Shortt,

Richlands, Va.