To the Editor:

In my declaration of candidacy I did not criticize the county's decision to open a methadone clinic in Canton, as you erroneously state in your article.

I specifically questioned the wisdom of siting the clinic in the Human Services Center on Route 310, a building that contains many other agencies serving the citizens of the county.

SLC Legislator John Burke has contended that the clinic will merely provide "additional treatment that’s being offered in a clinic that has been there for years." And the director of the SLC Department of Community Services, Jay Ulrich, has stated: "It’s not like this is a whole new population we’re going to serve. It’s the same population but a higher level of care that people with severe opioid addiction need."

These statements give the impression that nothing will change at the current clinic. But in fact, security there will be significantly beefed up, according to Mr. Ulrich, who as reported in the Watertown Daily Times has said that "the security equipment includes an internet protocol, National Defense Authorization Act-compliant cameras, security doors outfitted with either pin-pad or swipe-card access, an intercom system, panic buttons for staff and three surveillance monitors."

At the last full board meeting, the legislators unanimously authorized the signing of a contract for the installation and maintenance of the system.

It seems that both the legislators and the Department of Community Services realize that the threat level at the Human Services Center will significantly increase as a result of the siting of the methadone clinic there. Nevertheless, it does not seem that the enhanced security will apply to the hallways, stairwells, rest rooms, and other agency offices in the building.

It is highly unusual for a methadone clinic to be placed in a county building that contains so many other agencies frequented by the public. The SLC legislators seem to have authorized a kind of informal social-science experiment, with the citizens of the county as the experimental subjects.

It is true that many of the legislators have full-time jobs, other business interests to attend to, as well as their leisure activities. No one expects the legislators to put their lives on hold while they attend to the needs of the county. But they should at least find a few hours to do the necessary research to make informed decisions on matters that concern the safety of the county's residents.

Kevin Beary
Colton