Resistance to Methadone in London ON. Overcoming Obstacles & Strategies to Implement MMT. Gurpreet Sidhu, Psychiatrist

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1 Resistance to Methadone in London ON Overcoming Obstacles & Strategies to Implement MMT Gurpreet Sidhu, Psychiatrist

2 Community Consultation Increased drug activity/crime/loitering Declining property values Increased Vandalism, theft and litter Increased costs (taxes) for policing Proximity to school Image, security, safety, congestion, parking

3 City by-law resistance Interim control by-law passed November 2010 No new clinics for 18 months Allowed city staff time to plan for future clinics and pharmacies Critics complain MMT clinics attract drug dealers

4 Methadone Clinic: Means a clinic or medical office which wholly, or in part, is used for the prescription of methadone as more than an ancillary activity For the purposes of this definition, an ancillary activity shall mean prescribing methadone to a maximum of 40 clients per day

5 Methadone Pharmacy: Means a pharmacy which wholly, or in part, is used for the dispensing of methadone as more than an ancillary activity An ancillary activity shall mean dispensing methadone to a maximum of 40 clients per day

6 Zoning Evaluation Criteria for Methadone Clinic /Pharmacy 1. Well served by public transit 2. Property boundary must be 300 meters from elementary/secondary school boundary meters from municipal library, pool, arena, the Western Fair Grounds or the Boys/Girls Club 4. Parking requirements 1 for 15 square meters or 161 square feet Usually 1 space per 26 sq m or 280 sq ft

7 Obstacles at 527 Wellington Road (Towards Recovery Clinic) 250 metres and not 300 metres as the crow flies from nearest school 1 parking space for every 15 square meters 28 parking spaces required but only 21 available Utilise 307 sq m and leave 111 sq m as unfinished --- By-law enforcement difficulties

8 October 2012 public meeting raised controversy over the 300-meter minimum distance from schools The limit was imposed by the city in terms of how the crow flies the bylaw mandated 300 meters in ALL directions Proposed new clinic was 251 meters in direct proximity but over 300 meters in terms of closest pedestrian routes School board superintendent stated totally opposed to bending the rules to 251 meters

9 Licensing By-law Methadone Pharmacy and Methadone Clinics Licensing By-law come into force and effect September 2013 Clinics must keep daily patient count log Fees assigned to existing clinics in the city: Methadone clinic licensing fee: $700 Methadone pharmacy licensing fee: $700 Hearings officer appeal fee: $150 *Personal fines up to $50,000 and corporate fines up to $100,000 for violations of the by-law

10 Municipal Council Verbal Presentations

11 Strategies to implement clinics CMPA Canadian Medical Protective Association Advised to follow the law of the municipality OMA Ontario Medical Association Legal action --Human Rights case but OMA would not fund CPSO College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario OHRC Ontario Human rights commission

12 Ontario Human Rights Commission Ontario Human Rights Commission wrote letter to Mayor Joe Fontana on December 18, 2013 Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall expressed concern whether the city s bylaws discriminate against people with addictions who rely on methadone services.

13 OHRC con t Requested a long list of records and documents council used to pass zoning and licensing bylaws Letter was immediately turned over to the City legal department

14 OATC Clinic to open in London OATC rallied to open a clinic in London for over 2 years October 2012 council voted in favor 9 to 5 Maximum 200 patients per day 2 other methadone clinics with in 2 km Not a third one in my back yard

15 Methadone Clinic OATC 425 Wharncliffe Rd S Different parking configuration Putting in more parking Two pedestrian walkways from the sidewalk Fencing and lighting to keep the site well-lit Enhanced landscaping, including the removal of stones that may be used for sitting and loitering

16 Recent activity Controversial medical clinic skirts London bylaw Wharncliffe facility not a methadone clinic A clinic on Wharncliffe Road that caused an uproar in the community is not technically a methadone clinic. CTV s Bryan Bicknell explains: Read more: medical-clinic-skirts-london-bylaw #ixzz2qtpfEViR