A Neighbor’s View To The Methadone Clinic Debate

There has been some discussions lately as to whether or not a second methadone clinic treatment center should be opened in the Duluth area.  It seems to be a good idea to help addicts get the help that they need from the medicine, as sending people to prison doesn't cure addiction.  (well maybe while they are behind bars...).

The big problem though is where would you put it?  Or does the treatment actually work?

I can tell you one thing from experience, you don't want it near you.  Our radio station offices are smack dab right next to (actually the same building) the current methadone clinic.

Look, I know these people need help.  I'm not throwing stones at them.  I treat the clients of the clinic with respect first.  However, respect isn't something that necessarily goes around.

Here's a few examples.  (note content, some of this is gross.)  I went around the office to ask people any thoughts they wanted to share.

-Little plastic dosage cups blowing around the parking lot.

-Piles of cigarette butts all over the parking lot and in front of our doors.

-Confused methadone clinic patients wandering around our hallways at 5 am.

-I'm not making this up:  We found a bottle of urine in the parking lot.

-A pile of puke on our front door step.

-Broke down cars blocking the entrance to the parking lot.

-We had to rope off our satellite dishes because people would run into them with their cars.

-old beat up furniture lying around in the parking lot

-a turd in a piece of toilet paper was found on the ground outside our door.  GROSS!

-Some guy decided to charge people $1 for a parking spot.

-Fist fights outside

-Dogs running around barking

-Children wandering around without supervision in a busy parking area

-lines of cab drivers double parking

-reckless drivers speeding through the parking lot ( I actually called 911 once, as I had to jump out of the way)

Like I said before, I'm not saying everyone next door at the clinic is that bad, but this is stuff that routinely happens.  The clinic has recently added a security guard next door, which is at least a step in keeping things orderly.