Whether they like it our not, residents of Antis Township should have a new medical neighbor come September.
Stephen K. Shaner, part owner of Alliance Medical Services Inc. of Pittsburgh, announced last evening to the board of supervisors that he plans to open a Methadone clinic in Bellmeade, near Splinter’s.
“Let’s face it, whether you want to believe it or not, you have a problem here,” said Shaner. “We’re not offering a solution to the problem, but a possible way out for the people here who are addicted to opiate-based substances.”
A clinic provides addicts with a daily dose of methadone, to not only suppress the body’s requirement of the drug, but also suppress the symptoms of withdrawal when the body isn’t being affected by the drug’s active chemicals.
The clinic is proposed to be placed on land owned by Brinton Simington. Simington said he has signed an agreement with Allied Medical Services Inc. to build and lease a building to the group.
Simington said he has a special reason for wanting the clinic in Antis Township. His 22-year-old nephew died from a heroin overdose because he refused to drive the two hours daily to Harrisburg to receive methadone treatment.
The topic was met with tough resistance immediately.
During Simington’s opening remarks to the board, before offering any information about what exactly the clinic is and how it operates, he asked if anyone in the room would be opposed “to this kind of facility” in Antis Township.
Before the question was even out of his mouth, dozens of hands in the audience shot into the air, as did the arms of supervisors Ron Gensamer and Charles Taylor. No one present said they supported the concept.
Regardless of how the residents and supervisors feel, there’s really nothing they can do to stop it.
Chairman Supervisor Leo Matuszewski explained to those in attendance the supervisors have little control over businesses that want to locate in the township. He said as long as Mr. Simington purchases all the proper building permits, he can lease the building to anyone he wishes.
Residents in attendance questioned Shaner as to why he wanted to locate a facility in Antis Township. One person mentioned the only reason was because Antis Township doesn’t have zoning.
“That is true,” said Shaner. “But that’s only a small part of it. The main reason though is its accessibility.”
He said it would reach people hoping to overcome their addictions from north of Tyrone and south of Altoona. He also said 40 people who are traveling to Johnstown everyday for treatment can transfer to the new clinic.
According to Shaner, the commonwealth will mandate in January that every resident in Pennsylvania must live within a one-hour drive of a methadone clinic. Currently, according to Blair County Commissioner John Eichelberger, who showed up at last evening’s meeting just to offer his input, every county resident is within a 60-minute drive of a clinic. One is operated in Johnstown by Shaner’s group. The other is a new facility in Curwensville that opened just two months ago.
Shaner said the facility in Antis Township would be similar to the one in Johnstown. He said this clinic sees a younger clientele, whereas the clinic in Pittsburgh treats an older client list.
He explained that methadone clinics are heavily scrutinized and regulated by the state government. He said the state would most likely initially license the facility for about 70 patients, and depending upon the interest and success rate, additional licenses could be granted.
“Who’s going to pay for this treatment?” asked Gensamer.
Shaner explained that 50 to 60 percent of all costs associated with treatment is subsidized by the state and county. The remainder of the bill comes from the patient’s pocket.
“You have to understand that people taking methadone are people that want to get help,” said Shaner. “These people aren’t court ordered to be here. They are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They want help.”
Questions were raised concerning the safety factors that are associated with the facility. Antis Township doesn’t employ a police force and relies on Hollidaysburg-based state police for law enforcement.
Shaner explained that in his four years in operating clinics, police have never been called.
“These aren’t dangerous places,” he said. “People coming in will receive their treatment and leave. It’s really about a five to ten minute process.”
Ray Amato, vice-chair of the board, asked Shaner about residency at the clinic, but the businessman explained that only outpatient services will be offered.
Supervisor Charles Taylor felt that patients use the clinics as a supplement to their habits.
“That definitely happens, but within a couple months, we’ll be able to filter those people out,” said Shaner, explaining the group performs urine testing. “We don’t want these people addicted to opiate-based substances and that’s exactly why we want to be here.”
Despite calling methadone a “life sustaining medication,” Shaner expressed the importance that the treatment may not be for everyone, especially in the case of young people.
“The younger users shouldn’t necessarily think methadone is the way out right away,” said Shaner. “In some cases, yes. But for people who haven’t been addicted to opiates for that long of a period of time, I believe other drug-free attempts should be made first. But if methadone is the only way to control an addiction, that’s the way they need to go.”
Supervisors agreed that if enough of the residents of Antis Township express an opinion about the clinic, a town meeting will be scheduled. Shaner said he would be happy to attend and answer questions.
“This kind of facility doesn’t come without controversy,” said Shaner. “But six months after the clinic opens and the controversy dies down, nobody will even know we’re here.”
