Step toward city methadone clinic
A medically assisted drug treatment program’s lawsuit against Washington City Council and the city’s code enforcement officer has been dropped, clearing the way for a methadone treatment center at 50 E. Wylie Ave.
The owners of Echo Treatment Center are employees of the county’s probation department.
John Moschetta III is chief probation officer with Washington County’s adult probation department, and Anson Zacour is a supervisor with the juvenile probation department.
“The court is aware … and is reviewing the matter,” said court administrator Patrick Grimm, who added an employee of the county could not operate such a facility and work for the board of judges.
“I understood from the beginning of this endeavor … that owning and operating a licensed (medically assisted treatment program) would be a conflict of interest due to people who are on adult probation seeking treatment at the facility,” Moschetta said in an email. “If licensure is obtained, I will be resigning my position. However, at this time, ETC is not licensed and no conflict exists.”
According to a lawsuit filed Dec. 18, Moschetta and Zacour applied for a zoning permit Oct. 28 from Ron McIntyre, the city’s code enforcement officer, which he denied on the grounds that it is within 500 feet of a preschool and church. McIntyre also said only a landowner could apply and that the center must be licensed with the Pennsylvania Division of Drug and Alcohol Programs prior to obtaining the permit.
In the lawsuit, Dennis Paluso, attorney for ETC, argued the facility can’t obtain licensure until zoning approval is granted and that another medical facility, NovaCare Rehabilitation, operates from the same building.
Moschetta and Zacour started the process in September, entering a letter of intent with MLM Enterprises to lease two suites at the address, contingent upon zoning approval.
City solicitor Jack Cambest said city officials agreed in December the facility would be a permitted use.
Moschetta has worked for the county for 20 years. He said he recognized the need for a medically assisted treatment center, which, he said, leads to a reduction in overdose deaths, less crime, increased employment and less illicit opiate use.
“One in four families in Pennsylvania have a heroin/opiate-addicted family member. This has made our community unsafe in many ways. I saw the need for another medically assisted treatment program in Washington County and took action,” Moschetta said. “I am a Washington County native. I have served my country as a soldier and my community as a peace officer. My plan in the future is to continue to serve the community by reducing criminal activity.”
Moschetta did not address the facility’s progress, but said to obtain licensure, the facility must first be approved by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Licensure Division of Pennsylvania, Drug Enforcement Agency Diversion Division and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.
Zacour did not respond to requests for comment.
There is one methadone clinic currently operating in Washington County, Progressive Medical Specialist in Houston.