Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jan 2013
Source: Manitoulin Expositor (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 The Manitoulin Expositor.
Contact:  http://www.manitoulin.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2429
Author: Robin Burridge

METHADONE CLINIC CLOSING IN DOWNTOWN LITTLE CURRENT

Some Clients Will Travel To Sudbury For Treatment

LITTLE CURRENT-The 19A Water Street (methadone) Clinic in Little
Current will be permanently closing its doors Friday, February 15
after the Northeast Town contacted the clinic building's owners,
Robinson's Pharmacy Group, earlier this month informing them that the
clinic must stop dispensing methadone within 30 days at that location
or the company would be charged with nuisance under the municipality's
bylaw act.

"The Town of Northeastern Manitoulin Island passed a zoning ordinance
closing down the methadone clinic and pharmacy at 19A Water Street in
Little Current," states a letter from the clinic to patients, obtained
by The Expositor by a patient who wished to remain anonymous. "Dr.
(Brian) Dressler's lease at 19A Water Street is terminated in
February. Last appointment will be either January 25 or February 8."

The town's decision came after several letters from downtown Little
Current business owners were sent to council pertaining to incidents
involving patients of the Water Street methadone clinic.

Of these incidents, the most recent occurred on December 8, when five
male clients of the clinic began a fist fight on Little Current's main
street.

Council said they understand that Island residents need treatment, but
that the current location of the methadone clinic was not
appropriate.

This discussion led to council proposing amendments to the current
commercial and residential zoning bylaw to change the definition of a
business or professional office to "an office in which any business is
carried on or any profession is practiced but does not include a home
occupation or a clinic" and limiting the placement of a clinic to "the
same property as a hospital or home for the aged."

The Northeast Town council carried a motion to accept the proposed
amendments, followed by staff noting that the next step would be
public notification and a public meeting.

According to the letter from the clinic to patients, clients of the
clinic will be transferred to Dr. Dressler's Espanola office and
"attempts are being made to provide services on Manitoulin Island,
however we have no guarantees at this time."

Despite several attempts, neither Dr. Dressler nor Robinson's Pharmacy
Group returned The Expositor's phone calls.

In another letter addressed to patients of the Water Street Clinic
obtained by The Expositor, Robinson's Pharmacy Group writes that they
"have been directed by the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the
Islands to cease the dispensing of methadone at 19 Water Street by
February 15."

"We regret this is the position of The Town of Northeastern Manitoulin
and the Islands," the letter continues. "As a result we have no choice
but to inform you that our last day of operation will be Friday,
February 15. Although there are no other pharmacies in Little Current
providing methadone, our pharmacy in Espanola, Robinson's Pharmasave,
is willing to transfer you as a patient if you would like to continue
with our service."

Robinson's Pharmacy Group also writes that there are two other
pharmacies in Espanola and one in Gore Bay that offer methadone
services and may be able to take on new clients.

Though the outlook for the clinic's patients is unclear, one Water
Street clinic patient from Wikwemikong was able to shed some light on
what the clinic's closure would mean for individuals from her community.

"Dr. Dressler said that he is trying to find another location for the
clinic here on the Island, but nothing is for sure yet," explained
Tabatha Peltier. "Right now, we've been told that there is no room in
Espanola for our group and we will be travelling to the Sudbury clinic
(Dr. Dressler's Larch Street Clinic) to continue our treatment once
the clinic here closes."

Ms. Peltier explained that the change in clinic locations will be hard
for herself and other clinic patients, as it will mean more time away
from their families and more time away from work.

"We just want to live normal lives," said Ms. Peltier. "That's why we
are in the program. We really work together as a group to help each
other move forward with our treatment and our lives, so it's too bad
when a couple people cause a lot of problems and cause something like
this (the closure of the clinic) to happen."

The Expositor spoke with Wikwemikong Chief Duke Peltier on Monday who
further expanded on the future for band members who were currently
undergoing methadone treatment.

The chief explained that Wikwemikong chief and council had held a
meeting last Thursday night to discuss the Water Street clinic closure
and what steps the community would be taking to help band members.

"A case management plan was brought forward to council to address the
issue," said Chief Peltier. "Council approved the proposal and its
continued development."

Mary Jo Wabano, the health services director of Nahndahweh
Tchigehgaming, the Wikwemikong Health Centre, was also in attendance
at the meeting and explained that an interim working group was
developed on Monday of last week to address the future needs of
methadone patients.

"The interim working group, composed of members of the mental health
team, Ontario Works and Rainbow Lodge, presented their case management
plan to council on Thursday, however it was just a preliminary plan
due to the short turnaround time," Ms. Wabano told The Expositor.
"Chief and council approved the group's plan and its continued
development. Right now the community simply provides transportation
for band members to their treatment, but we are hoping in the future
to ensure a circle of care that would utilize all the community's
resources to help support the individual and their families."

Ms. Wabano was also able to confirm that Espanola would not be able to
support all of the Water Street Clinic's clients and that patients
from Wikwemikong would be travelling to Sudbury for treatment,
following the Island clinic's closure on February 15.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D