Pubdate: Fri, 02 Nov 2012
Source: Gazette, The (London, CN ON Edu)
Copyright: 2012 The Gazette
Contact: http://www.westerngazette.ca/contact/
Website: http://www.westerngazette.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2548
Author: Jesica Hurst

WHARNCLIFFE METHADONE CLINIC APPROVED

On Tuesday night, city council voted to approve a new methadone clinic
- -- the first after council established a new set of rules around where
these facilities can be located in March.

The clinic, which will be located at 425 Wharncliffe Road, has been
the cause of much debate and concern since there are already two other
clinics located in the area.

Dale Henderson, Ward 9 councillor for the City of London, was opposed
to the clinic, and was a little surprised with the outcome.

"If we turned it down, there might be an issue with human rights, and
to me that was a little bit of a red herring," Henderson said.
"Sometimes, when someone considers the lawyer might be there, everyone
backs away a bit."

"From my standpoint, the other councillors were coming on the lines
that everyone has to have their treatment, which is fine, but there
are a lot of places for treatment already -- certainly there are
hospitals and doctor's offices set up that do that."

Other than the fact that there are already other clinics nearby,
Henderson said he opposed the new clinic because of how many residents
were protesting against it.

"There was close to 1,000 people on the petition to not have a third
one in their area, and I think there are other issues to do with not
moving these into other areas of London," he said. "We have 13 other
wards -- I'm sure if this was proposed in somebody else's ward, all of
the sudden we would have a different vote."

Harold Usher, Ward 12 councillor, was one of the councillors who
approved the methadone clinic.

"I supported the clinic because, in my opinion, it met all the
criteria that we have in our current bylaw the way it stands," Usher
said. "We do respect the emotions and concerns of the residents, but
in the end, it met the criteria."

"I think that those people didn't even know that there were other
methadone clinics or pharmacies around. It's just one of those tools
they use to try and stop this, and I understand that -- you will use
everything in your power if you don't want something. But I think this
is one of those things that people have a perception of, and I don't
always think it's the right perception."

The one condition that separates this clinic from others in the area
is that only 200 patients can be treated per day -- a restriction that
has raised some concern.

"Human rights may say we have no right to be restricting them. I think
it is a restriction, and I think it will be interesting to see the
result of it," Usher said. "In the future, we will be able to look at
it and say 'This is not working,' or 'Gosh, this was a wise decision.'
But people need treatment, and as long as it meets the criteria, I
have no objection."
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