Neighbors oppose methadone clinic set for Saugus

SAUGUS – Residents Brian Comeau and Annmarie Napolitano felt blindsided when they were recently informed that a methadone clinic would be opening adjacent to their neighborhood off of Route 1 north.The 4,000-square foot clinic, owned by Worcester-based Spectrum Health Systems, was scheduled to open on Nov. 1 at 168 Broadway, but construction hasn’t been completed.Methadone is administered to reduce the withdrawal effects of heroin and oxycodone; however, the narcotic is also addictive.”I was not aware of this,” Napolitano said of the clinic. “Why do they have the right to just come in and do that without letting anybody know?”Comeau, a 45-year resident, said he has reached out to State Rep. Donald Wong and is waiting for a response.Napolitano and Comeau presented their concerns to the Board of Selectmen at Tuesday’s meeting. Chairman Ellen Faiella said the board could not respond as the clinic was not on the agenda, however she said it will be taken up at the board’s next meeting on Nov. 25.Comeau said he found it ironic that the board has been somewhat restrictive with Sully C’s entertainment license, yet there has been no mention of the clinic. “They’re worried about them playing karaoke in the bar next door, but no one told me about a methadone clinic,” Comeau said.Napolitano said putting in a methadone clinic would only add to the trouble that has plagued the area in the past.”We’ve had so many problems over there over the years,” she said. “Couldn’t the state find a different place in Saugus?”Prior to the selectmen’s meeting, the two neighbors had garnered 30 signatures in two days for a petition opposing the clinic. “That’s pretty much most of the neighborhood,” said Comeau, who admitted there is virtually nothing they can do to prevent the clinic from opening.”As far as I know, it’s just going to open, and there’s nothing we can do about it,” he said.Comeau said there are several families with young children in the area as well as a school bus stop.”It’s a bad place to put it,” he said. “I normally don’t get involved, but this is wrong.”Spectrum Health Systems did not return a call seeking comment.