Pubdate: Wed, 20 Nov 2002
Source: Oshawa This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 Oshawa This Week
Contact:  http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/community/oshawa/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1767
Author: Martin Derbyshire

METHADONE DISCUSSIONS EXTENDED BY CITY

Councillor Wants Clinic To Move To Different Location

OSHAWA - A study commissioned by the City to review methadone clinics and 
whether they are appropriate downtown will broaden its scope by including a 
look at more clinics and a public meeting where all Oshawa residents can 
have their say.

Originally expected to be complete by Nov. 30, consultant Scott Burns 
addressed council Tuesday asking for an extension, a change to the number 
of clinics the study would be reviewing, and up to an additional $10,000 to 
be added to the study's $50,000 price tag. He received approval from 
council on all three requests and will now have until the end of February 
to complete his study.

The study stems from the City's interim control bylaw blocking the move of 
King Street's First Step Medical Clinic, which provides methadone 
maintenance therapy to local addicts, to a downtown location on Simcoe 
Street just north of Athol Street.

The bylaw was struck down by the Ontario Municipal Board this summer, but 
that decision is being appealed by the City.

Five clinics (Kingston, Kitchener, Barrie, Richmond Hill and Lindsay) were 
to be compared to the Oshawa situation. However, since consultants 
discovered three out of the five are run by the same management group they 
have asked to include clinics in Orillia and two others run by First Step 
in Scarborough and Hamilton, brought to their attention by a story in 
'Oshawa This Week.'

"These visits can be extremely informative," said Mr. Burns.

Although not supported by the remainder of council, Councillor Louise 
Parkes argued Hamilton's size and population are not comparable to Oshawa's 
and asked that it not be a part of the study. She also suggested a Brampton 
clinic be included because of its similarity to the Oshawa situation.

Mr. Burns requested the time-extension since he will not be able to meet 
with the Downtown Board of Management and other downtown residents and 
stakeholders until a meeting slated for Dec. 3.

He asked for an extension until the end of the year, but Councillor Mike 
Nicholson called for a meeting with residents outside the downtown core and 
suggested even more time be granted to hold that forum.

"I think there are a lot of people outside the downtown who would like the 
opportunity to be a part of a public meeting that any citizen of Oshawa can 
attend," he said. "There's a lot of people with something to say on this."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens