Pubdate: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 Source: Windsor Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2011 The Windsor Star Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/PTv2GKdw Website: http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501 Author: Pat Noonan DON'T RESTRICT METHADONE CLINICS A landmark study by Canadian scientists from the Urban Health Research Initiatives reports that the controversial Vancouver Injection Site provides essential life-serving benefits to people who desperately need them and improves community health and safety. Locally we are facing a similar harm reduction issue. Methadone clinics are first and foremost health care facilities and should be looked on as advancement in medical care. Why then, are we attempting to impose restrictions rather than encourage and enable access to life-enhancing opportunities? Increasing opportunities for methadone clients could ideally be seen as one more indicator of our "smart community reputation." Restricting addiction services would not be smart. Pat Noonan Windsor - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.