Methadone Clinic in Oshawa (Toronto Star, February 3, 2004)



Re: Methadone clinic gets okay for Oshawa



Councillor Louise Parks of Oshawa feels that a methadone clinic is not appropriate for the city's downtown. Where would it be appropriate? Perhaps in some other community? The widespread barriers and discrimination faced by people with addictions would not be tolerated in any other part of our health care system. The continued marginalization of people with these serious health issues perpetuates the problem our system faces with

addictions and ignores the true cost that all of us bear.



For example a dollar spent on the treatment of an alcohol use disorder saves $4 to $12 in long- term societal, economic and medical costs. Less contact with other parts of the health care system, less contact with the criminal justice system and improved productivity all point to the need to invest in addiction treatment services including methadone clinics in Oshawa.



Councillor Louise Parks would better serve her community and taxpayers by supporting addiction services in her community.



David Kelly

Executive Director

Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs



Cell 416-822-0712

250 Consumers Road, Suite 806, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4V6