Addiction problems
by Lori Barrett | April 21, 2008 at 6:00 am
Posted in baltimore news, drugs
Residents in Baltimore County are protesting plans for a new methadone clinic in their community.
The clinic is set to open on Belair Road in Perry Hall. Nearby residents — the closest of whom would be 90 feet away — are upset that the clinic will be located so close to their homes. Zoning laws require medical clinics to be 750 feet from the nearest home, but the clinic owner has applied for an exception.
One association president said the zoning law exists because it is “in the best interest of the citizens of Baltimore County.” Are drug addicts not citizens themselves, who deserve access to treatment?
I would think drug addicts seeking treatment pose less of a problem than those who are not. Still, residents are concerned that the clinic will increase crime in their neighborhood, bringing problems from the city with it. But with the number of methadone clinics already available for Baltimore residents, perhaps there is a reason for the clinic’s location — like, a person can live in the suburbs and have a substance abuse problem as well.
Is there a difference between having a methadone clinic in the strip mall down the street and attending a church that holds Narcotics Anonymous meetings in the basement?
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April 21st, 2008 at 3:17 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
There's a huge difference - they don't provide drugs at an N.A. Meeting.
At best methadone clinics only serve to maintain the user. At worst, methadone clinics are just one more way to get high. You're only thinking of the clinic in terms of it's best case scenario. Sparkly clean ex-addicts stopping by to get their meth before work, and then jetting off to participate in their new life of sobriety. Unfortunately, that's not the way it usually happens. Just hang out in front of a operating meth clinic sometime during dosing times and you'll see what I mean. Then ask yourself...would you want that down the street from you?
Methadone clinics need better regulation, or they need shut down the whole program. It's certainly not therapeutic or helpful to have someone hooked on meth (for YEARS most of the time) instead of heroin. Particularly when there are plenty of other options availible.
!
April 21st, 2008 at 4:59 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Ah yes, another case of NIMBY in the County. I suppose they think that heroin addicts don't live near them. Can't move Section 8 folks out of the City to spread the wealth and they want the City to take on all their addicts. Screw em!
April 21st, 2008 at 9:34 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
HAHA then we get those zapped out shakey sickos walking all around