METHADONE CLINIC PLANNED FOR BURLINGTON

BURLINGTON - The Vermont Health Department has accepted a plan that would
bring the state's first methadone clinic to Burlington.

Fletcher Allen Health Care and Howard Center for Human Services would open
the heroin addiction treatment center if the partners and the state can
agree on how to run the clinic.

Warren Bickel, who heads a University of Vermont program researching heroin
addiction treatment, is poised to head the methadone center if it opens.

The hospital was waiting for a written offer and also had no comment on the
deal, spokeswoman Maria McClellan said.

Fletcher Allen and Howard Center last week proposed a budget for state
approval. Money has held up talks between health care providers and the
Health Department.

The Brattleboro Retreat and Rutland Regional Medical Center dropped
negotiations with the state this month because the Health Department
offered too little money and local opposition.

Tom Perras, director of the Health Department's Office of Drug and Alcohol
Programs, declined to say how much the state agreed to pay.

"We provided them a budget that was pretty lean, but which allowed us to
cover our costs," Howard Center Executive Director Todd Centybear said.

A treatment center in Burlington could run more cheaply and reach more
addicts than one in Rutland or Brattleboro, Perras said. Reimbursement is
important because most addicts seeking treatment cannot afford to pay.

The three partners still must work out details, such as where the center
will be located and who will pay for building renovations.

A site at the University Health Center is under discussion. Burlington city
officials have said they would support a methadone clinic locally if it is
at the hospital.

"We're hopeful nothing can trip this up," Perras said.

Vermont remains one of a small number of states without a methadone
program. Methadone stems the symptoms of heroin withdrawal and curbs
cravings for the opiate.

Heroin use is exploding in Vermont. About 600 addicts entered treatment in
2001, up 67 percent from 2000, said Health Department Commissioner Dr. Jan
Carney.

Burlington residents have offered little public opposition to a methadone
clinic.

"It's really good news," Bickel said of Thursday's approval, adding,
"Nothing is done until it's done."