At least one physician in Owen Sound supports the methadone clinic in the City.
Doctor John Wright says the clinic helps its clients stay out of jail and allows them to become a contributing member of society.
Mayor Deb Haswell has raised concerns about the clinic since the founding doctors from Richmond Hill have limits on their medical licences.
Haswell also wonders whether the City should have a methadone clinic.
Doctor Wright says the fact that up to 400 people use the clinic every day is a reason why the City needs it.
Doctor Wright fears without it — the clients would turn to the streets again and illegally obtain drugs.
He says not only do clients get help for their drug addiction, they are also able to land a job and work in the community.
Doctor Wright tells Bayshore Broadcasting News he has talked to many patients who use the methadone clinic.
And he claims they do get support from the nurses in the clinic and by talking to the doctors at least once a month through a video conference.
Doctor Wright admits the service could be improved, but he doesn’t think the City’s methadone clinic should be closed.
The clinics founding doctors — Doctor Jeff Daiter (Date’-her) and Doctor Michael Varenbut — both have limits on their medical licences, preventing them from performing a certain procedure known as “ultra-rapid opiate detoxification”.
At the same time, the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons is planning a disciplinary hearing into allegations against Doctor Varenbut.
The allegations are quote “he is incompetent, he failed to maintain professional standards and he engaged in unprofessional conduct”.