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Neighbors Unhappy With Methadone Clinic

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Christian M. Wade The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 5, 2007

Updated: 11/05/2007 09:31 pm

PORT RICHEY - There were no ribbon-cutting ceremonies, no politicians, no balloons festooning the facade of the small office building halfway down Washington Street.

But the recent grand opening of Operation PAR's methadone clinic didn't escape the notice of folks in this mostly residential neighborhood in the city's east end.

"Why here?" resident Judy Parisi asked. "This kind of business doesn't belong here."

City officials lamented there was little they could do to prevent the move.

"It's an approved use," building official Ed Winch said. "They met all the requirements."

Marvin Coleman, PAR's vice president of communications, said the group has never had problems with its clientele and has tried to resolve residents' concerns.

PAR, or Parental Awareness and Responsibility, began in Pinellas County in 1970 with a largely volunteer staff. Today, the organization provides addiction treatment, intervention and mental health counseling in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Lee and Manatee counties.

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