IHA'S NEW METHADONE CLINIC MOVED OUT OF DOWNTOWN CORE

The Interior Health Authority plans to open its new methadone
treatment program on Kirschner Road, after securing a permanent physician.

Last month IHA announced plans for a publicly-funded methadone
treatment program in the face of rumours the only treatment program in
Kelowna, a privately run facility which struggled to find a local
doctor to deliver the service, would close.

Run by Gardell & Associates, the private clinic intends to close by
month's end, with the new publicly run service starting in-take of
patients beginning in January.

Patients previously treated at the Lawrence Avenue clinic have been
referred to the new program, which uses drug and alcohol counselling
services already contained within the building.

Senior manager of alcohol and drug services Ira Roness confirmed a
doctor from the Okanagan region was hired to run the program. IHA
methadone treatment begins in the new year at 1851 Kirschner Rd. Call
870-4681 for details.