DRUG CLINIC COMES UNDER FIRE

BRISTOL -- Plans for a methadone clinic on Farmington Avenue drew harsh
criticism from city councilors Tuesday -- one of whom suggested dumping a
government health agency that supported it -- but at least one member of
the council said he sees a need for the clinic.

"We ought to take care of our own," said Councilor Ken Scott. Those who
rely on methadone to break heroin addictions, he said, "are actually trying
to help themselves" and deserve support for their efforts.

But two other council members -- Art Ward and Gerard Couture -- said they
don't want a clinic in town.

"Where's the program for the people who go to work every day and don't do
nothing wrong?" Couture asked.

The Hartford Dispensary, which currently operates six clinics, plans to
open a methadone clinic at 1098 Farmington Ave., in a building formerly
occupied by a chiropractic office. It would be across the street from the
proposed Home Depot.

A number of city officials, including Scott, said they are concerned that
they weren't told long ago that a methadone clinic could be coming to town.

"It seemed like a sneak attack," Scott said, and now "all of a sudden the
whole city's up in arms."

Ward said that he's had more calls in the last few days from people upset
at the process that brought the clinic plans so far without notice than
he's had on any other issue in the past eight years.

"I can't for the life of me think for one second that this was done in an
appropriate fashion," Ward said, adding that residents "have a right to
know what's going on."

Proponents of the clinic have created "one of the worst public relations
fiascoes that I've ever endured," said Ward, who along with Scott
represents the area eyed for the clinic.

Couture said officials should have been informed.

"We should have knowledge about what's coming in this town and we should
have some say," he said.

Ward said that Mayor Frank Nicastro, who apparently knew at least six
months ago that a clinic might be put somewhere in Bristol, should have
told councilors about it at the time.

The clinic would serve the 125 to 160 Bristol residents who need methadone
treatments, health officials have said.

"I don't knock anybody for trying to kick the habit," Couture said.

Ward said he has a tough time believing that local people would want to use
a highly visible clinic on a heavily traveled road. He said he suspects
most would rather go out of town so that friends, family, co- workers and
neighbors won't see them at the clinic.

Ward said he is particularly irked by the strong support for the clinic by
Pat Checko, director of the Bristol-Burlington Health District.

He said that he is "seriously giving thought" to the idea of dumping the
regional health district and returning to the days when Bristol had a
health department of its own.

Ward said the health district has raised issues, including the clinic and a
proposed cigarette vending machine ban that was recently rejected, that
"don't necessarily concern what I deem to be the best interests of the city
of Bristol."