JUDGE: CLINIC CAN OPEN, FOR NOW

Center of Hope May Operate Pending Zoning Decision

A judge ordered Horry County to allow a methadone clinic to open, pending a
zoning board meeting to decide whether to rescind approval of the Center of
Hope clinic.

The order from Circuit Judge John Breeden, filed Monday, will allow the
clinic to operate until at least Jan. 22, when the county's Board of
Adjustments and Zoning Appeals decides the clinic's fate.

County attorney John Weaver said the county would lift its order immediately.

The hearing, originally set for Jan. 12, was moved to accommodate the
clinic's attorney, who had a conflict. Also, the county expects so many
people to attend the hearing that a special meeting is needed, according to
county spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier.

The clinic's directors are pleased with Breeden's order, according to
attorney Reynolds Williams, who argued that the county has no right to
quash the clinic 17 months after approving its plans.

The clinic, on George Bishop Parkway near Fantasy Harbour, is now screening
patients.

The clinic has a business license and the required state and federal permits.

Methadone is an addictive narcotic used in the treatment of addiction to
heroin, OxyContin, morphine and other opiates.

Opponents of Center of Hope argue the clinic will bring drugs and crime to
the area.

Clinic directors say it will provide a vital service to local residents
trying to beat their addictions.

The zoning board approved the clinic in July 2002. In October, as the
clinic prepared to open, local uproar prompted S.C. Rep. Thad Viers to ask
the county to reconsider.

After beating a legal challenge from the clinic, the zoning board voted to
reconsider.

The county then ordered the methadone clinic to close pending the new
hearing, which the clinic again challenged before Breeden.

In his ruling, Breeden said the county does not have the power to block a
business operating with county approval.

Williams said he hopes the zoning board takes into account the judge's
opinion when it meets next month.

"It's simple fairness," Williams said. "You can't give us permission to do
something and then take it away."

Viers said he respectfully disagrees with Breeden's ruling.

"This puts the county in an awful position," Viers said. "It opens a
Pandora's box. It's much easier to stop something from opening than it is
to stop something once it's already doing business."

He said the zoning board hearing should be made into a special meeting, but
he questioned the rescheduling, speculating that it was purposefully moved
to a date when he would be unavailable. The General Assembly will be in
session Jan. 22, and Viers said it will be difficult for him to make the
meeting. He said he may ask the county to reschedule the meeting again.

"It's deliberate," he said. "Why put it on a Thursday night when the lead
person who started the ball rolling can't make it?"

Williams said he did not specify a date when he asked the county to
reschedule the meeting.