Several sites have been looked at, but no final decisions have been made for a location of a proposed methadone in the city of Dunkirk.

The idea of a methadone clinic was discussed this week during the city’s Common Council meeting.

“It would not be a smart idea that the Dunkirk voting community not be informed of any possible locations that are seriously being entertained,” concerned citizen Mary Louise McGraw said. “If transparency is key, because we know what happened with the last debacle. Why are the citizens of this community not part of that discussion? Has the mayor, city attorney or any council member been in touch with anyone from Hispanics United in regard to any business involving the clinic?”

According to McGraw, there have been rumors circulating from drug court attendees that a methadone clinic will be opening in mid-September, somewhere on Central Avenue.

“If history repeats itself and all those in the position of knowing allow this to fly under the radar, I don’t appreciate that as a voting citizen of this city,” McGraw stated. “A methadone clinic in the business district of Dunkirk is not the answer. I didn’t say that a methadone clinic wasn’t the answer, just not in the business district.”

Active community leader, Jeanette Delgado chimed in reminding people that the business district is one of the few districts that the clinic can go into legally.

“There are many people living in Dunkirk, that are utilizing the methadone clinic in Buffalo and they are being clean,” Delgado added. “They are now only on methadone and have been clean for months, and these were people that have been drug addicts for years, they’re saying that it’s saving their life.”

Delgado pointed out the with the ongoing opioid crisis in the city that a methadone clinic is desperately needed to help individuals trapped in addiction to over come them and better themselves and the city as a whole.

Mayor Wilfred Rosas responded to McGraw’s questions a few moments later, saying that he administration has been in ongoing contact with the Acacia Network, the head affiliate of Hispanics United of Buffalo since this began.

“As far as transparency goes that has been very public,” Rosas iterated. “So if there is any further information that is inquired, please come forward, and we can provide you with all the information that you want.”

Rosas also added that Hispanics United is still looking at sites.

“They’ve looked at several different sites and they may be close to picking a site,” Rosas said. “As far as the Central Avenue site goes, I’m unaware of that, I don’t believe that that is a proper location for it, but I’m unaware that that is even a possibility.”