Press Release
October 27, 2004
Contact:
Joycelyn Woods
(212) 595-6262
A Methadone Treatment Center in Alabama, “Shelby County Treatment Center” is under fire. After four trials, with no testimony or witnesses against them, a local county Judge granted a permanent injunction and says they have to stay closed. The State of Alabama that grants permission to methadone clinics has granted them the right to be open but the local county judge says no. The Treatment Center is filing an appeal to the Court of Civil Appeals but they need help. The Treatment Center received their CON (Certificate of Need) from the State of Alabama in January of 2004. Since then, the county District Attorney Robbie Owens, Senator Hank Erwin, Judge Reeves and Sheriff Curry have fought to keep methadone treatment out of Shelby County. They are now saying they saved the COUNTY!!!!
Shelby County has fallen under the political Good Ol Boys. “They don’t want addicts in their county” but don’t seem to realize that the drug arrest rate has risen 139% in Shelby County. They say that addicts should be locked up in jail and want to “handle them their way”. It is Backwoods thinking that needs to be taken to the century of EDUCATION! There are a lot of patients that want to speak out but are scared. There are no treatment centers in this county and the county next to Shelby is Jefferson County, which has four that are full. Shelby is surrounded by approximately twelve other counties, all without a treatment center. Please help the People with the disability of Opiate addiction as they are being discriminated against.
The Program Director and Spokesperson Susan Sidwell can be contacted at 205-266-5022.
People that are against methadone treatment in Shelby County are:
Sheriff Chris Curry 104 Depot Street Columbiana, Alabama 35051 Phone: 205-669-4181 [email protected] |
Senator Hank Erwin 106 B S 1st Street Alabaster, Alabama 35007 Phone: 205-620-0116 Fax 205-663-1831 |
District Attorney Robbie Owens Main Street SC Court House Columbiana, Alabama 35051 Phone: 205-669-3750 [email protected] |
Judge Dan Reeves Main Street SC Courthouse Columbiana, Alabama 35051 Phone: 205-669-8588 |
People are that are concerned about the methadone issue and can be of help with outcry are:
Governor Bob Riley State Capital 600 Dexter Ave Montgomery, Alabama 36130 Fax 334-353-0004 |
Attorneys: David Belser and Dennis Nabors 614 S Hull Street Montgomery, Al 36104 Phone: 334-224-1618 Fax 334-263-0960 |
Alva Lambert Director of Faclities Certification 100 N Union Street Montgomery, Alabama 36130 Fax 334-242-4113 |
State Attorney Generals Office Troy King 11 s Union Street,3rd Floor Montgomery, Alabama 36130 Phone: 334-242-7345 |
Go to Birmingham News Articles:
Judge Rules Against Methadone Clinic, 10/15/04
Residents oppose a private methadone clinic in Saginaw, 10/27/04
Letters to the Editor:
J.R. Neuberger Letter to the Editor, 10/27/04
Joycelyn Woods Letter to the Editor, 10/28/04