Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON) Copyright: 2013 Metroland Media Group Ltd. Contact: http://www.therecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225 GET ALL THE FACTS ON DRUG CLINICS It is understandable that some people in central Kitchener are alarmed by the news that a third methadone clinic will open its doors on King Street East this summer. These clinics treat drug addicts, and for many people such addicts are synonymous with trouble and even crime. It is understandable, too, that the city politicians who represent these residents and business people want to help them. After all, one small area of Kitchener is being told to shoulder a burden no other part of Waterloo Region must accept. To many people, this smacks of unfairness. But before legitimate concerns give way to unreasonable fears or even unfounded panic, everyone needs to take a deep breath, become informed and look at this issue from every angle. Methadone clinics provide an important and necessary tax-funded service: They help drug addicts beat their addiction, and that is in everyone's interest because, in addition to making people well again, the clinics reduce crime by reducing the market for drug dealers. If Kitchener politicians want to do something that matters, they need to go beyond the motion they passed on Monday calling on the operators of methadone clinics to voluntarily keep their operations at least three kilometres from one another. While showing moral support for people living near the clinics, the motion lacks teeth and does nothing in a practical sense. That said, city hall can play a vital leadership role. It should begin with a fact-finding mission that examines how the two Kitchener clinics are operating today. After the first clinic opened in 2011on King East, neighbours complained about unlawful parking, litter, public urination, scattered bicycles, loud conversations and a steady stream of people. What's the situation now at the two clinics? If there are problems - and this newspaper is not being inundated by reports of them - what are they? Are crimes being committed? Are bylaws being broken? Do some people simply find the clinics and their clientele a nuisance? What do neighbouring businesses and homeowners think? Surely we must know the nature of the problems before we can determine what the right response should be. Once we have a better handle on the issues, the city, as well as the people operating these clinics, should work with homeowners and the business community to address every reasonable concern. Bylaw enforcement officers and police can, if necessary, assist as well. Meanwhile, Kitchener should consult with other Ontario communities that are dealing with the same issue. London's experience could prove especially instructive. In 2011, politicians in that city temporarily allowed no new methadone clinics or pharmacies while city hall crafted new rules for these operations. Those rules were later passed. One of them prohibits methadone clinics from opening within 300 metres of a school. But the city nixed a proposal to install security cameras at the clinics. London likely has something to teach Kitchener about how to live with these clinics. Finally, Kitchener council should call on the Ontario Ministry of Health to get involved. London sought the province's support but was spurned. Though the Health Ministry funds methadone treatment, it does not involve itself in the administration of the drug or operation of the clinic. But why can't it step in and help municipalities across the province that are wrestling with this issue and lack the resources and expertise the Health Ministry can boast? It is ironic that as debate rages over the methadone clinics, a group of philanthropic business people has delivered a $1-million gift to help the House of Friendship build a residential treatment centre in Kitchener for women battling addictions. Such largesse and such compassion deserve praise. But aren't methadone clinics also performing compassionate acts? Many of the people who receive this treatment - which has a 75 per cent success rate - are battling addictions they developed while being treated for work-related injuries or other health problems. They are neighbours who deserve to be considered just as much as the people living in the King Street East community. Indeed, some of the residents in this community may one day have need of just such a clinic. There's no reason that clinic can't operate legally, safely and as an accepted part of the city. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt