Pubdate: Fri, 14 Jun 2002
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Page: B2
Copyright: 2002 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact:  http://www.boston.com/globe/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Jenn Abelson

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Other companies that have encountered resistance have withdrawn their 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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth