Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 Source: Roanoke Times (VA) Copyright: 2004 Roanoke Times Contact: http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368 Author: Laurence Hammack, The Roanoke Times Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) INSPECTORS FIND METHADONE CLINIC IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS The Clinic That Is Planned At 3208 Hershberger Road In Roanoke Could Open In Another Six To 12 Weeks. A proposed methadone clinic is one step closer to an opening that will draw drug addicts seeking treatment and, in all likelihood, protests from the surrounding Northwest Roanoke neighborhood. State inspectors visited the site at 3208 Hershberger Road on Monday and were generally satisfied with what they saw, according to Ralph Sroufe, regional manager of the office of licensing in the state Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. "As far as the office of licensing is concerned, they are in compliance with our regulations at this point," Sroufe said. Inspectors plan a follow-up visit to address a few remaining issues. For one thing, Sroufe said, they need to review personnel records of a few employees yet to be hired. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he said, the Roanoke Treatment Center should receive its state license within the next month. However, the clinic cannot begin operations until it obtains approval from the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which had a representative present during Monday's inspection. That means it could be another six to 12 weeks before the clinic opens, said Joe Pritchard of CRC Health Group. The California-based company plans to run an outpatient treatment program that will offer counseling and daily doses of methadone for addicts of opium-based drugs such as OxyContin and heroin. Residents of the area have opposed the clinic, saying it will create drug dealing and crime in their neighborhood. At a news conference last month, residents watched a videotape produced by the Santa Ana Police Department that showed loitering, open-air drug dealing and other problems associated with a methadone clinic in a residential area of that California city. Working with police and the city attorney's office, residents filed a petition declaring the clinic a public nuisance. The litigation was settled under the condition that the clinic be moved to a more appropriate location, Santa Ana City Attorney Joseph Fletcher said. Jeff Artis, a community activist who is leading opposition to the Roanoke clinic, said it is likely to cause the same problems as the one in Santa Ana because of similarities in the two neighborhoods. The Hershberger Road site is in a mixed residential and commercial area with three schools nearby. More than 2,000 people have signed petitions opposing the clinic, and Artis said some opponents plan to protest outside the building and monitor patients. "If they open up, it's going to be the '60s all over again," Artis said at the news conference. "We're going to picket; we're going to protest." After meeting with CRC officials earlier in the year, residents were hopeful the company would find an alternative location. Pritchard said Tuesday that he is still open to that idea, but no suitable alternatives have been presented. CRC expects to treat between 200 and 400 drug addicts at the clinic. Police in other Virginia jurisdictions with methadone clinics have said they have not experienced major crime or other problems associated with the treatment centers. Problems at the Santa Ana clinic were as much a result of poor management by its previous owner as the location, Fletcher said. While the court case was pending, the clinic was purchased by CRC Health Group, which has overseen operations at a new location removed from homes and schools. Fletcher said he is not aware of any problems at the new location. Pritchard, vice president for operations for CRC's eastern region, said he believes state regulators decided to visit the Roanoke site twice because it has generated so much concern in the community. "Which is good," he added. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D