METHADONE CLINIC APPROVED

An application for a methadone treatment clinic in Livingston has been
approved by a state appellate court Fri. Dec. 14.

The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals upheld a ruling by the Certificate of
Need Review Board that granted an July 31 application by Tuscaloosa
Treatment Center Associates to open a methadone treatment center in
Livingston.

Methadone is a legal substitute for narcotic drugs that does not cause
debilitating side effects. It has to be dispensed at approved clinics.

Colonial Management Group is opposing the Tuscaloosa Treatment Center
efforts to open a series of methadone treatment centers.

Colonial claims that the Livingston clinic would be accessible to patients
in Mississippi, which would not be fair to other clinics in Alabama that do
not draw clients from other states.

The court ruled that the Review Board was not arbitrary when it approved the
application.

According to Livingston City Administrator Tom Luke, the Tuscaloosa
Treatment center request to open the clinic was approved by the Livingston
city council but no action has been taken since the meeting.