Bangor councilors skeptical of methadone clinic expansion

BANGOR, Maine — Bangor’s city councilors aired concerns about Bangor’s outsized “burden” in addiction treatment Monday evening as officials representing one of the city’s three methadone clinics pitched an expansion proposal.

Penobscot County Metro Treatment Center, a methadone clinic in the Maine Square Mall on Hogan Road, has applied to expand its licensing cap from 300 to 500 patients. The clinic is operated by Colonial Management Group, which runs addiction treatment facilities across the country.

The demand is there. Penobscot Metro officials say they have a waiting list of about 180 people who want treatment. Councilors didn’t deny the need, but questioned where these people seeking treatment would be best served.

“Bangor is being disproportionately burdened,” said Councilor Joe Baldacci, adding that “treatment needs to be closer to people in their communities.”

Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2016/07/11/news/bangor/bangor-councilors-skeptical-of-methadone-clinic-expansion/