Proposed Methadone Clinic in Conway Raises Alarm

Conway, NH isn’t necessarily a place that New Hampshire residents associate with drug addiction. It’s thought of more as a shopping destination and a northern town close to great skiing. Shockingly, over the last four months, four kids in the surrounding area have died from drug overdoses. The problem is actually so big that a methadone treatment center may be soon opening up in the community and many are shocked to hear that there is a need and some are resistant to the idea.

Such a center would help those suffering from a variety of addictions. Methadone is used to treat addictions for a variety of drugs including heroin and also many prescription drugs like OxyContin and Vicodin.

“We definitely have a drug problem in Conway and the Mount Washington Valley. There is a huge marijuana problem; a big cocaine problem and an astronomical pharmaceutical problem,” said Ed Wagner, the chief of police of Conway.

Currently, there are already a handful of methadone clinics in the state but none in the Mount Washington Valley. The clinic was proposed by The Community Substance Abuse Centers of Massachusetts, citing a need to address the problem of addicts traveling to three of their other locations in the state from the northern valley. Bob Potter, the vice president of development from the organization, expects to treat at least 150 area residents over the next three years.

Some residents, however, are resisting the center being established in the community. A special public hearing recently had to be called to address concerns of local residents. When Conway selectman, Crow Dickinson asked Potter, “What do we have to do to convince you to go elsewhere,” he was applauded.

Some residents have cited fears of drawing addicts to the town, fears of their property values being compromised, and potential crime related issues. Chief of Police Wagner came to Potter’s aid stating that the three clinics that the company already runs in the state have not seen such problems in their host communities.

The debate brings attention to New Hampshire’s growing drug abuse problem and raises questions that more communities across the state hopefully won’t need to address themselves.