WORCESTER, Mass. - Community members in Worcester are sharing concerns over what they say will be a methadone clinic in the city’s Main South neighborhood.
City councilor Sarai Rivera said Spectrum Health Systems has bought the former American Legion post at 1023 Main Street, with plans to use it as the clinic. Rivera said she and residents were not made aware of the situation, and the nonprofit didn't consider community.
Community members have compiled a list of concerns, including schools near the would-be clinic and quality of life impacts.
"I'm going to put it very clearly, our community, we're tired that there's oversaturation in segregated communities,” Rivera said. “The reality is, where we have a level of segregation due to class and race in many aspects, there's this belief and this stereotype about what this community is. We're tired of it already."
"This isn't the Main South that people think it is,” said neighborhood resident Sharon Gordon. “There's good, hardworking people in this neighborhood, so many schools, and to bring something like another program into our neighborhood is just another slap in the face."
Spectrum Health said in a statement, “This location was added to our mobile unit's service route as of Friday, 9/8 while plans for the facility are still being finalized. We can however confirm there will be no changes in services to Worcester residents.”
Rivera said her hope is to have a meeting in the coming weeks where residents and business owners can discuss the issue.