Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV) Copyright: 2004 Charleston Daily Mail Contact: http://www.dailymail.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/76 Author: Therese Smith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) METHADONE CLINICS FORCED TO WAIT Now that the state won't approve any new methadone clinics for at least six months, those eight waiting in the wings will just have to wait. "I'm disappointed," said Gerald Schmidt, chief operations officer for Valley HealthCare System in Morgantown. "But this is an excellent opportunity to look at the system." Schmidt's agency already had filed a request with the state Health Care Authority to team up with a company that develops methadone clinics. Currently, seven clinics operate in the state. They treat people addicted to opium-based drugs such as OxyContin with a synthetic narcotic to wean them off the illegal substances. Authority Chairwoman Sonia Chambers announced the moratorium Wednesday. She said taking some time out would allow state officials to examine the issues and develop standards to which clinics should adhere. "Most in West Virginia are for-profit," Chambers said. "Is that the best way to treat people who are addicted?" Indeed, some physicians share Chambers' concern. Dr. Ahmed Faheem, a Beckley psychiatrist and former president of the West Virginia State Medical Association, said the way methadone clinics have mushroomed begs a closer look. Dr. Ahmet "Ozzie" Ozturk, medical director of Cabell Huntington Hospital's pain management center, said he believes the clinics tend to treat patients with more methadone than is needed and don't test urine with much scrutiny to make sure the patient is getting it. He said he's heard from his own patients about others who establish a relationship with a clinic, gain trust and then are allowed to take home a couple of week's doses. Some then sell methadone on the streets, Ozturk said. However, an official with the company that operates six of the state's clinics told the Associated Press this week that the centers also provide counseling and typically have patients ingest the methadone in front of nurses. Delegate Marshall Long, D-Mercer and a physician, is working on legislation to regulate methadone. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin