OSHAWA METHADONE STUDY COSTS SOAR

Price Tag Doubles To $100,000

OSHAWA - The escalating costs and unpopular conclusions of a
City-commissioned study on methadone clinics has some members of Oshawa's
development services committee asking for a refund.

Planning consultant Scott Burns's final report on methadone clinics in the
central business district was delivered to the City last week accompanied
by a letter asking for funds to cover additional expenses incurred in its
completion.

The original $50,000 price tag had already been raised to $60,000 after the
draft report was delivered earlier this year and council asked for more
public and political input into the study's conclusions.

Now, Mr. Burns is claiming the actual cost of the study has reached
$100,000. He says he is willing to accept a $20,000 loss for his work, but
is asking council to pay another $20,000 in addition to the originally
agreed upon $60,000 for a total bill to the City of $80,000.

The study stems from the City's interim control bylaw blocking the move of
Oshawa's only methadone dispensing operation, First Step Medical Clinic,
from King Street West just outside the city's central core to a downtown
location on Simcoe Street just north of Athol Street.

The bylaw was removed by the Ontario Municipal Board last summer and the
clinic has been open and running downtown since November, but the City has
asked Ontario's divisional court for leave to appeal. A decision on the
appeal has yet to be handed down.

The study itself concludes that while main street locations may not be
ideal, methadone clinics provide a valuable service to the community and
require downtown locations because of their accessibility.

But, City Councillor Louise Parkes, the City's most vocal opponent to the
clinic's downtown relocation, says a quick look at the study shows the
consultants may not have done what the City asked them to.

"I think maybe we should look at paying even less than the $60,000. Did he
even earn the $60,000?" said Coun. Parkes. "At first glance it doesn't seem
to meet the terms of reference...talking to nine people is not interviewing
the business community."

Meanwhile, Regional Councillor Nester Pidwerbecki says he just wants to get
control of the runaway train the City's battle with the clinic has become.

"First it was $50,000, now it's $60,000 and they say it's going to cost
another $40,000," he said. "This has taken on a financial life of its own."

City planning staff are preparing a report outlining whether Mr. Burn's
study has met council's terms of reference and will present the results at
the next development services meeting June 16.