DUNKIRK – Officials in the City of Dunkirk are concerned that a proposed methadone clinic is too close to the Northern Chautauqua Catholic School.
All five Common Council members and Chautauqua County Legislator Bob Bankoski (D) announced their displeasure with the clinic’s location Monday.
“We have heard the concerns of the parents at NCCS and agree that a Methadone Clinic in the currently proposed location will add anxiety and concerns to those that currently send their children to NCCS,” the statement said. “We also believe that a Methadone Clinic in the current proposed location would prohibit future growth of NCCS due to the stigmatism that surrounds such a clinic, whether the stigmatism is true or false.”
The officials note that Hispanics United of Buffalo (HUB), who is purchasing the building, is independent of any City or County actions and can move forward with the process regardless of political pressure.
“We are respectively requesting that HUB cancel the purchase of the building at 3rd & Park Avenue in Dunkirk for the purpose of operating a Methadone Clinic. We would also like to respectfully request that they either find another viable location to purchase or look to leasing space at either the Save-A-Lot plaza or D&F plaza, both located within the City of Dunkirk to operate their clinic to serve the Dunkirk and surrounding area to help patients with their Opioid addiction,” the statement said.
The Resource Center is selling the building at 3rd & Park Avenue in the City of Dunkirk. It is unclear when the purchase will go through.
Officials agree that there is a need for drug treatment services in Dunkirk, although they do not believe the current location is appropriate.
