Frankford Avenue methadone clinic in Holmesburg gets approval from Court of Common Pleas

The Court of  Common Pleas has ruled in favor of The Healing Way Inc., reversing a decision by Philadelphia’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and reinstating a permit that will allow The Healing Way to operate a methadone clinic on the 7900-block of Frankford in Holmesburg.

“We find this decision to be most disappointing and vow to continue to fight the opening of this clinic,” outgoing Mayfair Civic Association President Joe DeFelice wrote to residents. “We need people to solicit donations to pay for legal fees to further our own appeal.”

It’s been nearly two years since Holmesburg residents learned about The Healing Way’s intentions to open the clinic, and the neighborhood has fighting the over-the-counter permit ever since, with the support of several other Northeast civic associations.

The Zoning Board decided in March 2012 to revoke The Healing Way’s permit to operate a clinic at that location, prompting The Healing Way to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.

The owners of this clinic, and the secretive manner in which they attempted to open it not only shook my confidence but forced me to call into question whether their motive is to treat those in need or simply profit off of those clutched by addiction,” Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, said Monday. “The community and I will shift focus to lobby the Pennsylvania Department of Health to look at the facts and lack of credentials that these profiteers possess.”

Meanwhile, Holmesburg is in the middle of a legal to prevent a second clinic from opening in the neighborhood at  7520 State Rd.