State bill proposes regulation of clinics

By CHERYL FRANKENFIELD
Collegian Staff Writer

While there currently are no regulations regarding where methadone clinics in Pennsylvania can be located, a proposed bill is one step closer to creating such restrictions.

House Bill 132 was passed in the state House of Representatives on March 16 and includes an amendment providing for the regulation of the location of methadone clinics.

This will affect a for-profit group's attempt to open a methadone treatment clinic in North Huntingdon Township near Pittsburgh, said state Rep. Jim Casorio, D-Westmoreland.

Casorio has been working on this issue and opposes attempts to open a clinic in the area.

Businesses, civic groups, parent-teacher organizations, senior groups and many others support Casorio's opposition to the clinic.

"Folks that are addicted to heroin need treatment," he said, but treatment should be given at a medically approved setting such as a hospital and not at a for-profit clinic, Casorio said.

The quality of the treatment and location of clinic are concerns of the groups involved.

Erie, Lehigh Valley and York are other areas that have problems with proposed clinics, he said.

Residents fear a clinic would attract potential problems to the area, including the resale of methadone in the community, Casorio said.

Joycelyn Woods, executive vice president for National Alliance of Methadone Advocates, recognizes the need for a clinic in the Westmoreland County area, but said she understands some communities do not want a methadone clinic near their schools, churches and parks.

However, NAMA, with 40 chapters around the country, supports people who need treatment for their heroin addiction, Woods said.

"That area has a serious heroin problem right now," she said.

Woods said she has received calls during the past year from patients in the region who are afraid to come forward and need a place for methadone treatment.

"(Patients) come there because they need help," she said, adding people don't go to clinics to get high.

The problem of heroin addiction will get worse and the need for a clinic in the region exists, Woods said.

She added this bill will severely limit treatment opportunities.

"Many communities are going to lose some of their young people," Woods said about the lack of treatment available.

• Agencies seek to curb abuse through use of methadone