Once again this city's Methadone centre - the facility regional chambers of commerce are anxious not to attract - is in the news !
The original consent hours were 7 am to 5 pm - Monday to Friday, and 7 am to 1 pm Saturday.
The centre has contravened these hours, opening at 6 am and attracting protests from surrounding businesses.
A Methadone clinic is a necessity in any city. The problem is one of location. This centre is in Denison street, basically an industrial area and home to a major fire station - but it is also adjacent to the Picadilly centre - a former group of shops that have now fallen on hard times.
The patrons of a Methadone clinic are obviously drug addicts, and their presence is not conducive to a mix with the shopping public. It is not unusual to see a person overcome with drugs lying on the footpath, or to see acts of violence and anger.
All logic supposes that such a facility should be located at the city hospital - just over a block away - but this falls foul of local politics. The hospital is surrounded by specialist doctors consulting rooms - and doctors have political clout and would not tolerate a mix of drug addicts and their patients.
Now a new opening schedule is being negotiated and the likely outcome is 6 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday - and 7 am to 11.30 am Saturday.
Whatever the hours - the main problem remains. A Methadone clinic is not compatible with surrounding retail businesses and as long as it remains in it's present location in Denison street there is little chance of a rejuvenated and prosperous Picaddilly centre.
The shopkeepers and property owners are the holders of a poisoned chalice !
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