A chain hangs on the door of the Levitee Clinic on Maple Avenue. (Submitted photo/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘I don’t know what to do’: Patients, staff left hanging amid abrupt closure of methadone clinic

Jun 9, 2022 | 3:52 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- The doors to the clinic were chained up early this morning, and later on this sign was placed on the door, letting patients know this clinic on Maple Avenue where many patients go to access Methadone and Suboxone has closed.

Dwayne St. James was one of those patients who found themselves locked out.

“I don’t really know what to say I’m shocked I don’t know why they would shut it down it was a good place. I always got my needles, got my pills,” he said.

Every two weeks St. James would rely on the clinic to get the medication he needs. Now he says he will have to make a trip to the hospital several blocks away, while others will have to rely on another clinic located on fourth street.

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“It is a long distance I got a sore back. I’m on the street I was getting my pills and everything from here and now I don’t know what to do,” he said.

St. James also suffers from schizophrenia and without timely access to treatment, St James says the impact is dire.

“I go psychotic, and I start hearing noises and voices. Last time I wasn’t taking my medications I got in trouble with the law,” he said.

St. James wasn’t the only one locked out this morning. Staff too were also met with a locked door. They agreed to speak to us only if we concealed their identity for fear of repercussions.

“I texted my manager and asked if we are working because everything is closed up and he said he wasn’t able to get in so I guess there is no work today,” one person said.

Staff say approximately 50 people rely on the Levitee clinic on a daily basis . Methodone and Suboxone are often described as tools for sobriety and staff say the impact of the clinics closure will be devastating.

“Everybody that comes to this clinic will be impacted. They have to find a new place to go, a lot of them don’t have transportation, they relied on the pharmacy delivering,” one staff member said.

Another staff member CHAT News spoke to says for many patients the clinic is more than just a methodone clinic, but a place of security where patients access wound care, hygiene kits, supplies and encouragement to keep going.

” I just don’t want to see them fail. They have been trying so hard. We have been their biggest supporters. I just want them to know that they are not alone. They have somewhere to go, they are loved, and they matter,” one staff member said.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons says when a medical practice closes timeframes must be followed. But because the clinic is not run by a physician those timelines don’t apply.

The owner of the clinic has not responded to our request for comment.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons say they are working with the clinic’s medical lead and AHS to ensure patients get the care they need.

Patients like St. James who are now trying to figure out their next steps.

“Now I’ve got to get ahold of my doctor, and get more prescriptions, and find another pharmacy again. It is too much, and they say with schizophrenia with stress it can aggravate your symptoms,” he said.

A concern many patients have, as they search for another place to get treatment.