ABOUT 40 AIR OPINIONS ON CLINIC PLAN

Approximately 40 people attended a public hearing in Jonesborough on Friday
evening to discuss a proposal to establish a methadone clinic in downtown
Johnson City.

Several supporters of the revitalization of the downtown area said a better
place for the clinic would be in the Med Tech Corridor or another area
specializing in medical clinics.

Speaking in favor of the proposed clinic were several recovering drug
abusers who said that the clinic would be an important tool in treating a
serious problem in the area.

The hearing was organized by the state Department of Health to obtain
public input on an application for a Certificate of Need to establish a
clinic at 200 W. Fairview Ave.

Steven Taylor, of the Office of Health Statistics and Research, hosted the
event at the Jonesborough Visitors Center. He said the hearing was for
informational purposes only and a decision on whether to grant the CON
could be made at a June 26 meeting in Nashville.

Johnson City City Manager Mike West expressed his concerns with the
location for the clinic.

"I have severe concerns about the location in downtown Johnson City," West
said. "The city has spent millions of dollars in development of the
downtown area. A short distance from the clinic is a $15 million library."

Roger Hausmann, chairman of the Downtown Action Committee, said he
understood the need to provide help for individuals who were addicted to
drugs, but he said the downtown area was also "a patient that is in the
stages of recovery."

He said the Med Tech Corridor and other parts of the city where medical
facilities are located would be a better location.

Donna Gobble, Hampton, said a methadone clinic is needed in Johnson City.

"If it wasn't for methadone, I wouldn't be alive today," Gobble said. She
said she had tried many other programs and none proved effective. "I have
been clean for seven years because of methadone.

"Why do people have to drive to Asheville, Knoxville, Chattanooga?" Gobble
asked. She answered critics who said a methadone clinic would attract
abusers from other communities by saying that the clinic in Asheville was
overwhelmed with clients from the Tri-Cities.

"Don't you think people from other areas are tired of dealing with the
addicts from Upper East Tennessee?" Gobble said.

Jim Blevins, a retired state police officer and father of a recovering
heroin abuser, said methadone has kept his son drug and alcohol free for
six years.

Blevins said a clinic will lower the criminal activity involved with drug
abuse by lowering the number of street sales of drugs. He said a patient on
methadone must pay $70 a week for the drug, a cost that can be sustained by
someone maintaining a normal job. He contrasted that with a $200 per day
cost of buying drugs on the street that requires a drug abuser to rob and
steal.

Blevins said a clinic will be an asset to the community.

Carol Blevins, the mother of a recovering addict and a social worker for 30
years, said the Fairview Avenue location was ideal because it is close to a
mental health clinic and it is serviced by bus for those patients who
cannot drive.

"If the clinic comes here, I plan to volunteer my time to them," she said.

Representatives of two of the largest organizations in the community
expressed their opposition to the location.

Mark Thomas, Johnson City Public Library director, said his board of
directors had expressed opposition to the proposed location.

Thomas said the board was particularly concerned that the library has
developed a strong children's program.

George Brewer, vice president of operations for the Asbury Center,
expressed his support for the revitalization of the downtown area.

Ed Gibbons, who owns a business adjacent to the proposed clinic site, asked
Taylor why the public hearing was set for the opening night of the Blue
Plum Festival in downtown.

Taylor said he was unaware of the festival when the hearing was scheduled.

Taylor complimented the audience on their behavior during the meeting.

"This has been the most orderly meeting I have attended in my three years.
You are extraordinarily well-mannered," he said.

Taylor said public comments on the issue may be mailed to the Tennessee
Department of Health, Bureau of Health Information, Office of Health
Statistics and Research, Fourth Floor, Cordell Hull Building, 425 Fifth
Ave., Nashville, TN 37247-5262, Attn: Steven W. Taylor.