NOT EVERYONE AGAINST OPENING METHADONE CLINIC

The issue of the methadone clinic proposed for Plains Township has sparked
substantial debate about the drug problem in the Wyoming Valley and what to
do about it.

Luzerne-Wyoming Counties MHC, also known as Choices, recently applied to
the Plains zoning office for an occupancy permit to open an outpatient
clinic, which would include drug and alcohol counseling and methadone
dispensing.

The site of the clinic would be the Interstate Industrial Park, 307 Laird
St., in part of a building housing the FMC Dialysis center.

The permit application was denied, and township officials are refraining
from comment until they obtain more information, particularly about zoning.

The potential methadone clinic was discussed at the Citizens' Drug Policy
Forum of Northeastern Pennsylvania meeting Wednesday night at the First
Presbyterian Church on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Forum Chairman David Frey said the Plains site could be the "real deal,"
and it would be necessary to "walk the walk" to obtain one after six years
of trying.

He proposed attending the Plains Township commissioners' meeting March 13.

A man at the meeting said he had been taking his daughter to Allentown for
methadone treatment for three years, and asked whether a methadone clinic
would ever be opened closer to home.

It was noted that approximately 300 people from the Wyoming Valley had to
seek methadone therapy out of the area.(BR) Luzerne County Commissioner
Steve Urban said Choices administrator Mike Donahue had told him there were
funds allocated for a clinic, but it was up to municipal zoning authorities.

Urban said at one point Choices had tried to institute a methadone clinic
at the old Nesbitt Memorial Hospital building in Kingston.

"It didn't materialize, but not for lack of trying," he said, explaining
that communities were often resistant to the clinics.

When asked whether he was in favor of a methadone clinic, Luzerne County
Controller Steve Flood answered in the affirmative.

Flood agreed with Urban's observation that small communities did not like
the idea of methadone clinics. He noted that the county has 1,000 parcels
of land available, and hinted at the possibility of using one if necessary.

Flood, Urban and commissioner candidate Greg Skrepenak stressed the need
for drug treatment programs and drug abuse education in Luzerne County.

Frey said education is crucial because most people don't really know what
methadone is. He suggested people read the information about it presented
at the Common Sense for Drug Policy Web site, www.csdp.org.

Frey pointed out that methadone treatment would reduce the crime rate and
drug use, since addicts would not have to try to obtain drugs.

"Methadone may not be the magic bullet, but it's somewhere to go to start,"
said Forum Marketing Committee Chairman Mike Vivian.

In addition to the Citizens' Drug Policy Forum, the methadone clinic issue
has been the subject of debate in the community at large, and there are
numerous supporters.

A Wilkes-Barre resident, who did not wish to be identified, said six of her
friends have died within the last few weeks from drug-related causes, and
she has many more friends who use drugs.

"Even junkies need friends, a stabilizing influence in their lives," she
said. "Junkies are really not going to hurt you. People don't understand
drug addiction at all."

She said the nearest methadone clinics are in Allentown and Williamsport,
and she and her friends have been hoping and waiting for one to open closer
to home.

"I have one friend who says, 'Hurry up,' " she said. "Why should you have
to travel when you can get it right here?"

The woman does not understand why Plains Township authorities are opposed
to the clinic.

"They're afraid of something they don't know anything about," she said.
"Why are they so afraid to help people?"

She theorized it was partly due to unconcern about others and partly
because people seemed to be in denial about the fact that there is a drug
problem in the area.

"Are people afraid to face that there are drug addicts around?

"Maybe this would help them so they don't have to rob and steal," she said.
"If you're on something, you're afraid. They feel like the cops will be in
line picking them up. But this is a help center. It's supposed to help you."

Not all addicts turn to crime to support their habits, the woman explained,
and many people are closet users who desperately want to break their
addictions.

"I know a lot of people who got off drugs and are leading really good lives
now," she said.