Pocono News Section

Battle Over Dunmore Methadone Clinic Goes Before Judge

Battle Over Dunmore Methadone Clinic Goes Before Judge - Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 04:02AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday June 15 2010

DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- The battle over a methadone clinic in Lackawanna County entered a new chapter today - a legal one. After the borough of Dunmore voted against the proposed facility, the developers appealed.

For about an hour Tuesday afternoon a judge heard testimony from both the borough and the developer. Developers say the borough violated the Americans With Disabilities Act when it said they couldn't open their proposed treatment facility.

An empty property on Monahan Avenue in Dunmore is where Habit Opco wants to open its methadone clinic. After Dunmore borough voted the idea down last year, developers filed an appeal. A judge took testimony on the issue Tuesday afternoon.

Debby Schmidt of Habit OPCO, Inc. says, At the end of the day, it comes down to providing hope for the people out there, for the people who's family members are addicted and unfortunately could die."

Dunmore's Borough Solicitor Thomas Cummings says the proposed clinic was voted down not because of zoning issues, but because of safety concerns. They're not fighting the methadone clinic on modality of treatment. They are trying to protect both the clinics patients and the neighborhood, so there is adequate parking, so there is safe access," he says,

For month after month last year, passionate testimony from homeowners in Dunmore filled public meeting after public meeting. Many were against the idea of a clinic in their neighborhood, but developers say its desperately needed.

About 50 people a year in Lackawanna County die because of drug overdoses. About 4,000 are addicted to opiates in the county based on the numbers treated and the number who aren't treated. Its a very serious problem," says Schmidt.

Dunmore Borough Council believes it took the appropriate action and hopes the judge sides with them. I think both sides feel they have a strong cases and the judge will have a good decision I'm sure," says Cummings.

The judge who heard the testimony did not issue a decision. There's no word on when that could come.