METHADONE CLINIC ZONING DECISION SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED

Re: methadone clinic opinion of Linda Morris [Nov. 2]:

While the scenario presented by Morris certainly warrants some
compassion, this one isolated case does not constitute at all the
placement of a methadone clinic anywhere in Horry County.

With a minimum amount of research, one can easily see just what a
deterrent these clinics can be and are, not only for the community,
but for the people who are supposedly assisted by methadone.

In sworn testimony given by Michael J. Chitwood, chief of police,
before Sen. Susan Collins in Bangor, Maine, in August, Chitwood
clearly demonstrates abuses of methadone in his community and the
state of Maine.

First he cites the four-fold increase in drug deaths in Maine caused
by methadone due to accidental overdoses.

The most alarming testimony that Chitwood gives concerns the
for-profit clinics, which is being proposed for the Myrtle Beach area.

Chitwood states that these clinics dispense methadone with, in his
opinion, inadequate oversight. He is correct in doing so, for from my
own personal research and from his sworn testimony, these for-profit
clinics have to create some sort of incentive to keep folks on
methadone or simply stretch out the amount of time they are taking
this drug, plus there is a minimal amount of counseling made available
concerning methadone use.

Is this what we want for the Myrtle Beach area and Horry
County?

As a parent, I have greater concern. My wife and I have a 9-year-old
enrolled at Bridgewater Academy, which is less than a half mile from
this proposed clinic. As parents, we were not aware of the presence of
this clinic until it had already been approved, and neither was the
school.

This is unacceptable, and the Horry County Zoning Commission should
re-consider the decision.

I support Rep. Thad Viers and his efforts to rid Horry County of this
methadone clinic and encourage others to do the same.

The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.