by Kathy Hall, Pulaski County UNITE Coalition Chairperson Somerset, Ky. — Dear Editor:
I applaud both Somerset City Council and our Pulaski Fiscal Court for taking the initiative to notify our community regarding the resolutions that expressed concern regarding the elusive and secretive manner in which the proposed Methadone Clinic is planning to open for business in Somerset.
A few additional facts add to the elusive business communications regarding the Methadone Clinic.
1. The initial address of Trade Park Drive was deceptive since it was not the site that was the actual location.
2. Local officials and the Commonwealth Journal were able to clearly identify the location of the business at the Hwy. 27 South location by the middle of October.
3. The Secretary of State Web site lists the change made by Somerset Addiction Solutions on Nov. 4, 2009.
4. E-mails from Somerset Addiction Solutions on Oct. 20, 2009, were received stating, “We have been made aware that the city has passed an ordinance and Somerset Addiction Solutions will not open.” Even after it was clearly articulated that the city of Somerset passed a resolution and not an ordinance, the group continued to indicate they would not open (Oct. 26, 2009).
5. The owner/operator did not attend the community forum on Oct. 26, 2009, which would have provided an opportunity for the owner/operator to alleviate any mistrust. However, community members were told at least twice by Stephen Lamb, M.D., that the owner/operator was advised by attorneys not to attend. If everything is legal and within established medical practice guidelines, why was this response necessary?
It will be the responsibility of our community to address the possible ramifications in the event the clinic opens. Has the increase in crime in Pulaski County been a result of the families of inmates from the Federal Penitentiary in McCreary County moving to Pulaski County to be closer to their family member, or has the recent crime been tied to gang activity that is associated with a prison populations, or is it because the placement of out of state and county youth in the ever-increasing number of group homes?
These questions have been raised but it is difficult to address. It may be that the drug trade is so lucrative that it is worth the jail time to continue to deal after release. The ramifications on a community that have a Methadone Clinic can be overwhelming as it was with New Orleans after Katrina.
What happens when the individuals dependent on Methadone do not have access to the Methadone Clinic for over two weeks?
What happens when individuals addicted to heroin decide to move to Pulaski County to be closer to the clinic?
Currently, arrest records do not indicate we have a problem with heroin.
I do not think it is in the best interests of Pulaski County to have a Methadone Clinic.
The Pulaski County UNITE Coalition has developed a petition to encourage the Division of Behavioral Health to withhold approval of the clinic. Copies of the petition are available at Somerset Pharmacy and Simpson Paint Center.
Kathy Hall
Pulaski County UNITE Coalition Chairperson
Somerset, Ky.
