METHADONE CLINIC IN L.B.  COUNCIL FOCUS

LONG BEACH The City Council Tuesday night is expected to decide whether a methadone clinic can set up shop in the Wrigley District, and whether city contractors should be required to provide health insurance for their workers.

Council members will hear an appeal from a medical group that wants to open a methadone clinic on Pacific Avenue in the Sixth District.

The city's Planning Commission rejected the application of Western Family Limited Partnership to run the clinic in a commercial building at 2272 Pacific Ave.

The partnership has asked the City Council to overturn the commission's decision and allow them to serve between 50 and 70 clients a day who are trying to break a heroin habit.

Vice Mayor Doris Topsy-Elvord, who represents the 6th District, opposes the clinic and said she'll ask her council colleagues to affirm the Planning Commission's decision.

"The people don't want it," Topsy-Elvord said.  "They've already protested it.  It's too near churches and the school."

She said she's talked with members of neighborhood associations in her district, "and they all said they don't want it."

"I don't want to label people, and we're happy for them that they're trying to kick the habit," Topsy-Elvord said.  "We're talking about serious substance abuse, not just marijuana, we're talking about heroin ...  the fact is, there are too many young kids there."