METHADONE CLINIC BAN MEETS LITTLE DISSENT

A one-year ban on new methadone clinics was approved by council
Monday night, despite the impassioned plea of one departing politician.

Amid ongoing concerns from Old East residents over the problems
created by a Dundas St. clinic that serves 700, council won't allow
any new ones as city staff review ways to control where such
facilities are opened.

In his final meeting on council, David Winninger was the lone vote
against the plan - and urged his colleagues unsuccessfully to shoot it down.

"I feel very strongly that the planning committee and (planning)
department has gone in the wrong direction," Winninger said.

"It sounds non-productive. It sounds insensitive to the needs of
people who need methadone."

Methadone is a medication that helps addicts get off opiates such as
OxyContin and heroin.

Coun. Roger Caranci said in response to Winninger that the problem
isn't with the clinic's patients, but the other elements it attracts.

Sarah Merritt of the Old East Village Business association, whose
neighbourhood has deep concerns about the Dundas clinic, had made
similar comments earlier in the day.

"(The clinic) can attract more people to the area who can prey on
users of methadone," she told politicians.

Though he admitted zoning can be a "blunt tool," city planning boss
John Fleming says he will study using it to control where clinics can
be opened.

Staff also will study the use of licensing to control methadone
clinic locations. The one-year ban gives staff time to study the
issue and report back to politicians.

It prohibits the opening of any new clinic or methadone dispensary -
defined as a business where offering methadone is its primary service
- - but doesn't affect pharmacies.

There are 22 London pharmacies licensed by a provincial body to
dispense methadone. The province won't tell city officials where
they're located.