OPPOSITION TO METHADONE CLINIC GROWS

The Washington County Health Council has joined the long list of
organizations working to keep a methadone clinic from locating in Johnson City.

With a decision expected Wednesday by a state judge on several motions
regarding the controversial facility, WCHC Chairman Brian J. Rosencrance
said Friday that the organization decided to get involved in the political
fray.

"Back in August, we sent a letter to the Tennessee Health Services and
Development Agency," Rosencrance said. "Then, we were opposed to the
location of the clinic on West Fairview Avenue."

But after numerous discussions and having substance abuse experts speak to
the group, Rosencrance said the WCHC decided there was no place for a
methadone clinic anywhere in Johnson City.

Out of the 17 council members who responded to a poll, 16 members were
against the clinic while one abstained.

There were no votes in favor of such a clinic coming to the area.

"The majority voted (that) it was opposed to a methadone clinic locating in
Johnson City," the chairman said.

The Johnson City Addiction and Treatment Center LLC, which plans to offer
drug and alcohol addiction treatment services, received a certificate of
need in June to establish a non-residential treatment facility at 200 W.
Fairview Ave.

The clinic would primarily utilize methadone, which is synthetically
manufactured and used as a substitute for the treatment of people dependent
on heroin and other opiates.

Numerous community members have been concerned such a clinic would attract
large numbers of drug users to the area and especially to downtown Johnson
City, which is undergoing a revitalization.

Officials with the clinic had originally hoped to have it operating in the
city by this month, but the ongoing legal battle has hampered efforts.

A large coalition of businesses, elected bodies and public groups has been
working to keep the clinic out of the area.

According to City Commissioner Steve Darden, one of the leaders in the
effort, state Administrative Law Judge James A. Hornsby will rule Wednesday
on a motion filed by the group.

Darden said the motion maintains that the now defunct Health Facilities
Commission did not have a quorum when it voted to approve the CON in June,
and thus the decision is invalid. All nine members of the commission were
present for the vote, but Commissioner Janet Jones had to recuse herself
from the decision because she was a Johnson City resident and her husband,
John Jones, was active with many of the organizations opposing the clinic.

He said the statement by the county's Health Council continues to add to
the validity of the movement against the clinic.

"I think it's an appropriate step on the part of the council," Darden said.
"This goes to show nobody thinks having a methadone clinic in Johnson City
is appropriate. Nobody."

Depending on Hornsby's decision, Darden said the issue could continue
through the summer.

"If the case is not disposed of next week, the administrative law judge
will conduct a full-blown hearing on July 24 and 25," the city commissioner
said.

The WCHC is composed of officials from health and human services agencies
in Washington County. The group, with 31 voting members, works to establish
communication and exchange ideas to improve the quality of life in the county.