Hi, Night Shade.

I'm sorry you were offended by my reference to a methadone clinic as a meth clinic.

First of all, I'm from the city of Chicago and that's how the folks here refer to the clinic. As far as I've ever known, there's never been a reference to a meth lab being called a meth clinic. Destructive a drug meth may be, others might argue that methadone is as destructive. Of course there is no good medical use for methamphetamine, but I acknowledge and realize that there is a valid medical use with methadone.

However, there is a lot of stigma attached to methadone and the clinics that dispense it, so I'm sure that you can see my point. Everyone has differing views on such topics, and I try to respect everyone's view.

I guess I was simply taken aback when you stated so stongly that you destested the notion of being associated with such a drug when I wasn't even referring to methamphetamine. I mean, the subject was about methadone and I don't see how my reference could be misconstrued as the other.

To address others with the methadone clinic situation and obtaining access, I do imagine the procedures and regulations would vary state to state. And I would also imagine that if someone was dependent on several different opiate pain relievers and were suddenly withdrawn by doctor or clinic, that a methadone clinic would oblige in assisting the pain patient.

I have known many people to use methadone clinics and from all of them it has been the same story. The clinics have increased dosages, without the patient's request and they do try to keep you on the program, with little effort to ween or reduce dosing. This, of course, coming from the Chicagoland area and a for-profit program.

Again, sorry for offending you, Night Shade.

lemongrass