“A Bangor methadone treatment center has filed a lawsuit against the city two weeks after the facility’s bid to expand from 300 to 500 patients was rejected by the City Council.
“We are hopeful and optimistic that the federal court will rule in favor of our client, and will permit those awaiting treatment to begin to receive that treatment as soon as possible,” said John Doyle, an attorney with the law firm Preti Flaherty, which is representing the clinic.
The city’s attorney, Norm Heitmann, declined to comment Tuesday, saying the city won’t comment on pending litigation. The city likely will file a response in federal court within the next few weeks.
“Although [Penobscot Metro Treatment Center] has obtained the state licenses it needs to expand and meets the requirements of federal law, the city has denied it permission to expand, under an ordinance that illegally singles out methadone clinics for special discriminatory treatment,” the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court, alleges.”
Read more at: https://bangordailynews.com/2016/08/23/news/bangor/methadone-clinic-sues-bangor-over-expansion-denial/
Source: BangorDailyNews.com – August 23, 2016
See related editorial – Our View: Maine doesn’t need more barriers to addiction treatment – 8/23/16 http://www.pressherald.com/2016/08/23/our-view-maine-doesnt-need-more-barriers-to-drug-treatment/