Quinte West awaits approval of Official Plan before methadone clinics can move forward

By Tyson Leonard

A report that recommends new methadone clinics be allowed to open up in Quinte West is awaiting the approval of the city’s new zoning plan.

An interim bylaw was introduced more than a year ago prohibiting new clinics. The bylaw was introduced so a report could be done studying the potential regulation of methadone clinics. If the report is approved the by-law will be lifted and the report’s legal suggestions will be put in place.

Charlie Murphy, director of planning and development services for Quinte West, was tasked with developing the report. The report was presented last August but is now going through the administrative process, said Murphy.

“It’s basically on hold pending the approval of the new Official Plan that’s with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs right now for final approval,” said Murphy.

The interim bylaw came into effect May 16, 2011, and was initially in place for one year. Earlier this year it was extended.

“It’s a matter of this waiting out the administrative process of implementing the changes,” said Murphy.

The report covers what methadone clinics do, and how they affect the community. Most of the suggestions made regard zoning laws for clinics.

The three areas in Quinte West that are suggested as appropriate for methadone clinics are, along Front St. from Bentwick St. to Fraser Park Dr., along Glen Miller Rd near the 401, and along Dundas St. E near Bay St.

Some specific suggestions include clinics being opened no less than 400 meters from each other, and clinics being opened no less than 80 meters from any elementary or secondary school and public parks.

The report also suggests the city work with local health organizations to establish a Community Working Group. The group would identify what role the community can play in addiction and methadone treatment.

Public input on the report was done through a series of meetings held over the year since last May.

“The public had an opportunity to come to any of the planning advisory committee meetings to express their concerns,” said Murphy.

One change made to the report because of public input was removing the Batawa and Frankford districts from areas where methadone clinics can operate.

Until the interim bylaw is removed and a methadone clinic opens its doors in Quinte West, the closest clinics are in Belleville.

Belleville has two methadone clinics. First Step operates out of the Bayview Mall in east Belleville. The other clinic is owned by Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres. It has been running out of downtown Belleville since March 2003.

Officials from both clinics were unavailable for comment.

The Canadian Public Health Association describes methadone as an opiate that is used to treat people addicted to drugs in the same family, such as morphine and heroin. They say methadone ‘prevents withdrawal symptoms and cuts down on the person’s drug cravings’ and does not interfere ‘with their ability to work, go to school, or care for their family’.

Methadone is also used to treat addiction to prescription drugs such as OxyContin and Percocet.

The Canadian Public Health Association website says methadone has been used to treat drug addiction since the 1960’s.