Pubdate: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 Surrey Leader Contact: http://www.surreyleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236 Author: Kevin Diakiw Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) FOUR METHADONE DISPENSARIES SUING THE CITY OF SURREY Four methadone dispensaries are suing the city for what they feel is a "discriminatory" hike in business licence fees. Last October, the City of Surrey raised the annual cost of licences for methadone "dispensaries" from $195 to $10,000 to help defray policing and bylaw costs associated with the storefronts. The city was roundly criticized by members of the medical community and the B.C. Pharmacy Association, who equated it to "a time when we locked up epileptics." City solicitor Craig MacFarlane confirmed Thursday that four of the dispensaries have launched legal action. "They're just challenging the bylaw," said MacFarlane. "I guess they're alleging that methadone users are being unfairly treated." A methadone dispensary is described under Surrey's bylaw as "the business of selling or filling methadone prescriptions for customers as the primary purpose ..." About four such enterprises exist between 104 and 108 Avenues near King George Hwy. "These businesses have proliferated to an unacceptable level of concentration in the Whalley City Centre neighbourhood, contributing to its social and economic stress," MacFarlane wrote in a report to council in October. Methadone is a drug used to treat heroin withdrawal symptoms, and is sometimes prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain. City officials say they're only targeting dispensaries, noting that methadone patients can get their medicine at more than 20 other pharmacies in Surrey. At Leader press time, MacFarlane could not say which pharmacies were suing the city, but Care Point Pharmacy and Priority Drugs are believed be two of them. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager