CLINIC WON'T HELP DRUG ADDICTS, COMMUNITY

As director of Shepherd's Center New Foundation, an outpatient
substance abuse recovery center in Conway, I read with interest and
some support the letter by D.E. "Ed" Andersen of Shoreline Behavioral
Health Services on Dec. 31, "Health experts', residents' opposition
valid." In the 10 years that the center has been treating the
chemically dependent and their families, we have seen other attempts
to open a "methadone clinic" in the county.

It is the collective opinion of the numerous professionals here at the
center that narcotic replacement programs, while legal, do not treat
the addiction; they only change the drug of addiction. Many
alcoholics, for example, will switch to beer because they "can't drink
the hard stuff" - no matter, they are still drinking alcohol!

Clients for treatment at the center must agree to remain abstinent
from mood-altering chemicals, except those prescribed for psychiatric
conditions and monitored by their doctors. It is apparent that our
professionals did not support the need for, nor were they asked about
such a clinic, as was stated in a Dec. 17 article [on the proposed
Center of Hope methadone treatment center at Fantasy Harbour].

Although methadone is currently used as replacement for heroin and
OxyContin, both of which are growing problems, we question the current
local need for this clinic based on the small number of inquiries we
receive. If this new clinic is to survive, it will surely attract
addicts from outside the immediate area, and the impact on our
community could be serious.

Actively drug-using addicts are frequently underemployed, unemployed
or unemployable. Their financial support is dubious at best, with most
of their funds going to support their habit. The funds they have are
not always obtained through legal means. This is a potential crime
problem.

The community and the Horry County Council need a serious, fact-based
examination of this new business. This examination should minimally
include:

The demographics of the client base;

The financial requirements for clients at the clinic, including
employment;

Fee payment source, including how much if any will be public funds
(Medicaid);

Accommodations for those from out of town, as living space at the
beach is expensive and scarce and there is only one homeless shelter,
which does not accommodate those using alcohol and/or drugs; and

What benefit if any does a tourist-based area gain from a possible
influx of addicts seeking methadone replacement for their current drug
of choice or to support their habit by the sale of the take-home doses.

We feel certain that the new clinic will fulfill all requirements for
its business, as it cannot operate without that provision. However,
let us not confuse methadone replacement with real recovery, which
demands abstinence and constant vigilance and maintenance by the
thousands of individuals who have chosen a chemical-free life; that
is, living clean and sober.