Pubdate: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 Source: Gazette, The (London, CN ON Edu) Contact: http://www.westerngazette.ca/contact/ Copyright: 2012 The Gazette Website: http://www.westerngazette.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2548 Author: Jesica Hurst EAST ADELAIDE DOESN'T CONDONE METHADONE The ongoing battle between residents of an east London neighbourhood and a methadone-dispensing pharmacy has finally come to a halt-at least for the time being. Since July, the London residents have been kept in the dark with what has been happening at the newly opened London Drug Mart located at 1617 Dundas Street. But after taking matters into their own hands during a protest on September 3, the clinic was shut down at the end of their shift on September 9. However, since no one can confirm why the clinic closed, Marsha*, a fifth-year Western student and resident of the neighbourhood, believes this may be a short-term resolution. "There is rumor the clinic was shut down because of the protest, but that hasn't been confirmed," she said. "It has shut its doors for now, but the computers are still plugged in and there are still some lights on." "This is just a temporary thing. This battle may be done, but the war isn't over." Marsha and the majority of her neighbours were surprised when they first found out they had been living beside a methadone clinic. "One day, a sign appeared saying London Drug Mart, and some of my neighbours had suspected they were dispensing methadone," she explained. "I thought this was impossible-there had been no grand opening, no banners or flyers sent out throughout the neighbourhood. According to people who live directly across from the clinic, they noticed clients going in there while the place was still under construction." According to Marsha, they never had to inform local residents about the clinic because less than 40 patients were being treated there-the main reasoning behind the protest on Labour Day. Although Paul Hubert, Ward 3 councillor, is unaware why the clinic was closed, he doesn't think the location of the clinic is the issue. "I think there's an appropriate place for these clinics, and that's why we have a bylaw in place to ensure that methadone-dispensing pharmacies are only in certain areas," Hubert said. "In my personal opinion, we need to wonder why only some pharmacies are dispensing methadone. If all of our pharmacies in London dispensed ten doses of methadone a day, it wouldn't be a congregation at one particular location." In an attempt to close down the clinic as quickly as it opened, Marsha and a few other local residents from the area began taking photos of the patients entering London Drug Mart-something Hubert argued was inappropriate. "There are other avenues for getting your voice heard. I guess they can protest outside on the sidewalk if they want to, but do we want to demean the person who is trying to get treatment?" he said. "I think we have to be very careful that we don't lose our dignity in the context of getting our message out there." But Marsha wants London residents to understand this protest was not meant to target or victimize the local methadone users. "I understand that picture taking does bother some people, but these photos aren't going anywhere beyond a memory stick in my room," she said. "We are not against methadone users or methadone as a treatment. We are not saying methadone is right or wrong. Our issue is with the policy that enabled this solely methadone-dispensing pharmacy in our neighbourhood-something we want city councillors to address." * Source's last name has been removed to preserve anonymity. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom