Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jul 2003 Source: Mountain Messenger, The (WV) Copyright: 2003 The Mountain Messenger. Contact: http://mountainmessenger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1897 Author: David Cottrill Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) LEWISBURG COUNCIL TOLD OF METHADONE ABUSE Dr. Mike McNeer, a psychiatrist from Princeton, told the Lewisburg City Council Tues. he has anecdotal information that a methadone clinic is slated for Lewisburg. Methadone has been used with some success to wean addicts from oxycontin and other narcotics, noted McNeer. However, he pointed out that West Virginia is one of only two states that do not regulate methadone clinics. He said the seven current clinics in the state are all for-profit facilities. "There's a 1,300 percent profit margin on the sale of methadone by these clinics," McNeer claimed. "There's no incentive to wean people from their addictions. Patients often trade one form of addiction for another." According to McNeer, federal regulations, to which all clinics are subject, "have been very liberalized. They're vague and nonspecific about screening, counseling, and physician-client ratio." He said there are no federal requirements governing the education and background of clinic physicians. He said nearby Ohio has strict control over the clinics and does not permit the dispensing of methadone for profit. "West Virginia clinics," he claimed, "have been recruiting patients from states that have tough regulations, leaving fliers in parking lots saying, in effect, `come on over here and get a higher dose'." McNeer said methadone is "a tricky, potent, and complex narcotic." He said even a slight overdose can cause respiratory arrest and death. "I represent no one's interests," he asserted. "Nobody's paying me." He said he was alerting Lewisburg as he had alerted other communities. He said citizens need to press state lawmakers for strict regulation. Council took McNeer's suggestion under advisement. In another matter, Mid-Atlantic Music Experience promoter Paul Levine thanked Lewisburg for its "gracious hospitality" extended to guests of the recent music festival at the fair grounds. He said many of the 5,000 guests at the three-day event were effusive in their praise of the "friendly, helpful" people in the community. He said future festivals would promote the area's tourist attractions and attempt to involve more local businesses in the event. He also noted that future plans would include one-day tickets for local people rather than just the three-day passes issued for the initial festivities. "We hope to be back next year," he said, and claimed, "The fairgrounds are cleaner than when we got here." Lewisburg Police Chief Tim Stover said, "Things [concerning the festival] happened the way we hoped they would. Traffic trickled in--all in all, it went very well. The mounted security [that patrolled the fair grounds] kept in touch with us." In other business, Council Members expressed alarm that Mid-West Airlines is considering terminating its daily flights between Greenbrier Valley Airport and Charlotte, NC. Mayor John Manchester said it would be "a hit to the local economy." Council passed a motion in support of a letter from Manchester encouraging the airline to maintain the service. In his monthly report to Council, Chief Stover complained about the delay in getting the 911 tower erected on Muddy Creek Mountain. "My officers can't hardly talk on their portable radios. The county has paid the money and deserves the service. I'm going to be there biting at the ankles every chance I get . . . for the safety of police and firemen out there," he asserted. Stover told Council his department had recently conducted an "active shooting class" at EGJH. He said it was a practical exercise in dealing with a Columbine shooting type incident. "It was very realistic," he noted. About 50 police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical people participated. In another matter, Council voted to approve two assistant fire chiefs selected by their fellow firefighters: Bill Turner at Station #1 and Bernie Simmons at Station #2. Council Member Mark Carver reported that the Public Works Committee had prepared a bid package for 2003-2004 street paving. He said a pre-bid meeting will be held Aug. 5, at 11 a.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Bidding will be accepted in the same location on Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. The paving bid-package includes paving all, or sections of, Wake Robin Trail, Commanche Lane, Court Street, Randolph Street, and Church Street. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin