Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 Source: Sun News (Myrtle Beach, SC) Copyright: 2004 Sun Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/sunnews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/987 Author: Tracey Mills Note: apparent 150 word limit on LTEs Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n138/a03.html METHADONE CLINIC IS LEGAL ISSUE, NOT MORAL ONE This letter is in reference to the methadone clinic. I would like to thank the Horry County Board of Adjustments and Zoning Appeals for abiding by the laws that are set for these circumstances. Closing the methadone clinic should not be a "moral" issue and should be based on the law. Many people want the clinic (in Fantasy Harbour, near U.S. 501) closed down because they claim it will bring crime to our area. There is little proof of that. The people who are seeking treatment are people just like us. They have families, and they work every day. Just because they seek methadone treatment, it does not mean that they are thugs, prostitutes or thieves. If this treatment helps them function better in society, then they should be able to receive the treatment without hassle. S.C. Rep. Thad Viers, R-Socastee, has a lot of nerve trying to impose his beliefs [about the clinic on the zoning board]. Even his comment about the zoning board members [that they could quickly be replaced] was way out of line. Maybe he needs to start thinking of his place and try to remember that the voting rights of the methadone supporters matter, too. This should not be a moral issue. This issue is about the rights of people to receive treatment when they are in need. The methadone clinic patients have a right to be able to receive this treatment, and they also have a right to privacy. Closing this clinic will be a setback in medical and ethical treatment that people desperately deserve. The writer lives in Socastee. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin