SUITABLE CASES FOR TREATMENT

Calgary aldermen need to show political backbone or the city will
lose a valuable methadone clinic that serves the bulk of opiate
addicts in treatment.

Second Chance Recovery operated downtown for six years but had to
move when its lease was not renewed. The clinic relocated to a light
industrial park three months ago, but doesn't have the proper zoning
permit to continue. Residents found out, and complained to the city.

Sadly, the leadership in response has been lacking, particularly the
comportment of Ald. Andre Chabot, who has shamefully pandered to the
not-in-my-backyard mentality.

When he found out the clinic was eyeing a property in Forest Lawn, he
vehemently vowed to block the move. "Good luck with that, because the
community's already expressed their opposition to new methadone
clinics," he told the Herald. "You can count on me doing everything I
can to prevent it from happening."

Chabot should know better. He should be educating his constituents,
not fuelling their fears. Thanks to Chabot and others who share his
sentiment, Second Chance has concluded there's a"political bigotry in
Calgary" too strong to fight, either emotionally or financially. The
clinic says it will now shut its doors altogether, to which Chabot
says is only "fearmongering" and a bluff.

Enough with the childish bickering. People's lives are at stake.

If one steps aside to look at the bigger context of methadone
clinics, a few key things become apparent.

This is not a walk-in facility. It vets its clients and only accepts
recovering drug addicts who have met certain conditions. Clients must
visit their doctor regularly, and "refrain from illicit drug use,
take the daily methadone dose and at-tend a drug and alcohol
counselling program."

Most of the patients are addicted to prescription drugs, not heroin
or other illegal substances.

The clinic may be privately operated, but it's running treatment
programs fully insured by the province, and affiliated with the
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.

The only other program in the city is operated by AADAC at the
Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, but has a three-month waiting list.

It currently serves 300 clients.

How will it possibly absorb another 500? What happens in the meantime?

Fears of dirty needles, drug dealing and crime associated with a
methadone clinic has a far more chance of becoming a reality if the
clinic closes its doors and these high-risk, vulnerable people
desperately trying to shake their addictions end up on the streets.

Chabot and others should be able to comprehend this. The city and its
citizens, which include opiate addicts, are far safer when those who
seek help for their addictions are able to access and receive
treatment. Our leaders have the responsibility to ensure Second
Chance gets its own new start in Calgary.