Proposed methadone clinic in Dunmore won't upset community, landscape, say developers
Published: June 29, 2009
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share thisDebby Schmidt wants people fighting addiction to receive the help they need at a proposed methadone clinic in Dunmore's Keystone Industrial Park.
She doesn't want the community divided over the treatment facility, slated for 118 Monahan Ave. and expected to eventually serve 250 clients.
Ms. Schmidt, director of business development for Habit OPCO, a Boston-based health care organization that wants to open the clinic in Dunmore, said she encountered hostility and anger at the June 22 public hearing to discuss the matter.
Borough solicitor Thomas Cummings said the public hearing will reconvene at 7 or 7:30 p.m. July 13 at the Dunmore Community Center
"I don't hide things," Ms. Schmidt said. "I'm trying to save lives. There doesn't seem to be any desire to learn what we do at all."
Methadone is an opioid medication used to treat pain and addictions to heroin, OxyContin and synthetic opioids.
Ms. Schmidt said her offer to organize informational meetings with interested community groups still stands.
To date, she has submitted to the borough an environmental assessment and a social and community assessment of opening the clinic.
Council Vice President Paul Nardozzi said he read all the assessments but is hesitant to speak about the topic.
"I don't want to prejudice my vote by commenting on it," he said. "You have to go into it with an open mind and be impartial."
Mr. Nardozzi did say, however, that he "wasn't totally satisfied with all (of Ms. Schmidt's) answers to my questions."
The environmental assessment states the facility, which would be located in a former grocery store, would not impact the soil, vegetation or water resources.
"A modest amount of medical waste will be generated; similar to that generated by your physician's office," the assessment reads.
The facility would likely open around 6 a.m. and close no later than 3 p.m.
According to statistics in the assessment, 93 percent of Habit OPCO's patients are free of opioids after two years of treatment, and the average length of treatment is 35.36 months.
Security at the site will be "so far beyond what we have to do," Ms. Schmidt said. Like any Schedule II narcotic, she said, methadone must be "under tight security in any environment."
Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com
36 posted comments
Living in or around a Methadone Clinic isn't that bad. The one by me has a great attraction for addicts all over the area. Even the ones not on heroin. Its a Great Drug replacement Supply House. The people that run it are all reformed addicts, and work really hard to help others. These addicts need to rely on support from the community where the clinic is located. They will then feel wanted, and love your sympathy and trust in them. With the proper dosing of the Methadone, these people will be glad to be given the chance to straighten out their lives. They will pass by your property, and not even think of robbing you or stealing from you, because they just get a hand out, and don't have to pay for their Safe Trip.
So now everyone is ahead of the game. "Isn't that a Nice Dream?"
Much better there than in a residential neighborhood.
Chances are that we all know of somebody who could benefit from this clinic.
If the local community wants to stay involved in this process, set up a crime watch near the clinic, however, I don't think there would be much use for it.