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(WHAS11)? A methadone clinic is ready to open in Elizabethtown, but some residents and officials say no way, not in this city.
WHAS11's Gene Kang spoke exclusively to the doctor who wants to treat people addicted to pain killers.
Because of all the heat and bad reputation of other methadone clinics, one center in Elizabethtown is forced to hold-off from treating addicts.? Why?? The city's mayor and police chief are not happy and don't support having it in Elizabethtown.? The clinic isn't even open yet and it's sparking plenty of controversy in Elizabethtown.
At the new Elizabethtown Addictions Solutions, 2645 Leitchfield Road, doctors plan on treating addicts with methadone and suboxone, which are opiate replacements.
Experts say thousands of Elizabethtown residents suffer from addiction to painkillers like hydrocodone, morphine and oxycontin.? According to the Hardin County Coroner's office, in 2008 alone, 17 people died from accidental methadone overdoses.
That is a problem that Doctor Lori Nation wants to treat in her Eliazbethtown clinic; but it's going to be an uphill battle.? Especially after a Jeffersonville, Indiana clinic attracted thousands and started a traffic nightmare.
Dr. Nation said, "However, in Kentucky the regulations say you have to have 300 patients, or less. ?In fact, our clinic will cap at 20 patients.? For those people who need it and otherwise face a sentence of death, I think it should be available to them."
Doctor Nation said the clinic is licensed and can legally open today if they wanted; but won't until the end of October.? They still need final approval from the Drug enforcement agency to house prescription drugs at the location.
WHAS11 tried to get a comment from Elizabethtown's police chief, as someone who opposes the clinic opening, but he was out and not available.
