METHADONE CLINIC GRANTED LICENSE

It's the first time public opposition hasn't prevailed

Spectrum Health Systems has made history in its six-year struggle to open a
downtown methadone clinic, becoming the first company in Massachusetts to
secure a license despite community opposition. The state Department of
Public Health issued Spectrum a license Monday to dispense methadone, and
the facility could begin treating recovering heroin addicts at the
beginning of next week. The Worcester-based company is already allowed to
provide counseling and other services at the 214 Howard St. site. The Board
of Selectmen's decision to withdraw its opposition to the proposed clinic
was the final step to complete the community siting process, said Roseanne
Pawelec, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Health. The
federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug
Administration also completed their inspections of the site. "Everything
was in order according to the regulations, so the license was issued,"
Pawelec said. "It is of note that Spectrum is the first applicant that
proceeded with its licensure process despite some community opposition."
Other companies that have encountered resistance have withdrawn their
clinic applications. "We're really looking forward to getting started
shortly," said Dan Quinn, chief operating officer of Spectrum. He expects
the clinic to begin operating within several weeks, after staff and
supplies are set up for the Framingham site. After six years of legal
wrangling, the Board of Selectmen curtailed the town's official opposition
to the proposed facility in a settlement signed last week. The agreement
incensed numerous residents, who have promised they will carry their own
battle forward. "The effort to stop this clinic will still go on," said
Francis X. Reilly, a leader of the citizens group FIMBY, or Framingham is
My Back Yard. "We are examining what legal routes are available." "I think
it's questionable that they issued the license. There was no real solid
input of those affected by the clinic," said Selectwoman Ginger Esty, the
only board member who refused to sign the settlement. "I remain opposed to
it and am doing anything and everything I can to help the people that still
wish to fight this." Spectrum operated three clinics in downtown Framingham
between 1989 and 1995, but when it sought a new site, significant community
opposition arose.

The town refused to issue a building permit and grant a zoning variance,
and the fight spilled into the courts.

Last June, state Land Court ordered the town to issue a building permit,
and the town appealed that decision.

Spectrum also filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against Framingham, accusing the
town of discriminating against drug addicts, who are considered a protected
handicapped population under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The
financial risk to the town - which had no insurance to cover an unfavorable
judgment - prompted the town counsel to recommend the selectmen pursue a
settlement. According to the agreement, Spectrum would drop the
discrimination suit, Framingham would withdraw its appeal of the state Land
Court decision, and each side would bear its own cost and legal fees. The
last major provision of the agreement was that the Board of Selectmen would
retract its opposition to Spectrum's application for a license to dispense
methadone.

The state Department of Public Health received that statement a week ago,
and the license was issued Monday. "I am glad this has been resolved and I
hope that there will not be any major problems associated with the clinic,"
said Jim Gordon, chairman of Framingham's Board of Health. "I feel it is in
the best interest of the public health of the community to have a methadone
clinic in the local area." The out-patient clinic will be able to treat up
to 100 patients, and will dispense methadone in the early morning and
counsel throughout the day. The downtown facility will be the 34th of its
kind in Massachusetts. According to a 2000 report from the state Department
of Public Health, those who use publicly funded substance abuse treatment
programs in the western suburbs are 72 percent male, 81 percent white, and
39 percent employed. Forty-eight percent have completed high school.