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Much-Needed Methadone Clinic Not Welcome In Downtown Monument

MONUMENT, Colo. (CBS4) - There's a protest over a drug rehabilitation clinic south of Denver. Residents of a Monument neighborhood say they don't want it anywhere near them.

Monument methadone clinic
(credit: CBS)

The people putting in the methadone clinic say there's a real need for it. Law enforcement and people who work in the medical community say heroin and opiate abuse is a huge issue right now. With those addictions comes the need for more methadone clinics.

A majority of people in the town of Monument don't want a methadone clinic opening its doors in the downtown area. They're not opposed to the clinic, they are opposed to the location. The clinic will be located across the street from a popular family park.

Monument methadone clinic
(credit: CBS)

Citizens and business owners don't think children should be exposed to that type of business. The mayor of Monument, Rafael Dominguez, says they don't think it's in the best interest of their community, but there are no laws or ordinances to prevent it from happening.

Dominguez also says he's learned the nearest methadone clinic in Colorado Springs is now over capacity with patients. Colonial Management Group is the name of the clinic coming to Monument. CBS4 called them Monday but got no response.

Local business owners and residents are responding by starting a petition and voicing their concerns.

"We have a lot of activities in that park, a lot of groups come to that park and use it all the time. This thing is busy all the time. It's to have this methadone clinic come in here without the approval of the people, without even the city knowing about anything, it just doesn't seem right and that's what we're scared of," Monument business owner Shawn Morris said.

There is a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in Monument for residents with the methadone ownership group at the Lewis Palmer School District building. A big turnout is expected.

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