Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jun 2005 Source: Middlesboro Daily News, The (KY) Copyright: 2005 None found Contact: http://www.middlesborodailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1854 Author: Daniel Bruce Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) STATE TO RULE ON CLINIC AFTER FRIDAY MEETING The last legal hurdle to dispensing Methadone at Rehabilitation Drug Services, located in downtown Middlesboro, could be cleared on Friday when the business' application to dispense the drug is reviewed by a state panel. The business successfully submitted their application by the Monday deadline. The review is slated for Friday in Frankfort. According to Dr. Ronald Dubin, founder of M.A.D (Middlesboro Against Drugs), his organization has been told they will not be allowed to take part in the meeting. "People of Middlesboro demand to be heard and represented during this meeting," said Dubin. State Narcotic Authority administrator Mac Bell could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, but Dubin said Bell assured him that if the meeting needed to be open it would be. "If it's within their legal right to have this [meeting] closed, then we'll do nothing. But if it should be an open meeting, we'll have to discuss it further," said Dubin. Dubin said he suspected legal action may be taken by the city of Middlesboro if the clinic is allowed to dispense Methadone. A. Thomas Monceret, a Knoxville attorney representing the clinics owners Barbara Smith and Pam Wenger said said that if the state does not license the clinic, he would advise his clients to file a suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Since the June 7 Middlesboro City Council meeting in which clinic officials addressed the council in an effort to inform the community of their intentions, a steady outpouring of public opposition has crystallized around MAD. Two days later, MAD members and other concerned citizens packed the Middlesboro City Council chambers to voice their concerns to Bell. On June 16, MAD hosted a protest rally downtown that drew more than 300 people. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth