Despite an injunction against it and previous objection by Saginaw homeowners, legislators and law enforcement officials, Shelby County Treatment Center has officially applied once again for the operation of a methadone treatment center in Saginaw near Alabaster.

Methadone is an accepted form of treatment for drug addiction and is used to combat addiction to heroin and prescription drugs.

Last October, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Dan Reeves upheld an injunction against the Shelby County Treatment Center in Saginaw, which had been granted a certificate of need

by the State Health Planning and Development Agency’s Certificate of Need board.

However, SHPDA announced June 21 that Susan Staats-Sidwell has (another) application under consideration which could result in a certificate of need.

Sidwell submitted the application with the cost of the proposed project reported to be $135,460.

And interested parties who wish to submit written statements or indicate a desire to appear before the Certificate of Need Review Board must do so before Aug. 5 and provide a copy of statements to Susan Staats-Sidwell, 3522 William and Mary Road, Hoover, AL 35126. The application number is AL2005-033.

Before the application, Sidwell sent a letter of intent to file for a CON to SHPDA.

She cited the appeal of the injunction against her and &uot;an abundance of caution&uot; as reasons for the letter.

Robert White, president of Cahaba Valley Treatment Center, has also applied to operate Cahaba Valley Treatment Center Inc. in Shelby County which would also be a methadone treatment facility.

The deadline to indicate a desire to appear before the Certificate of Need Board on his application was set at June 27.

The address that was given to submit copies of statements to him was listed as Robert White, president, Cahaba Valley Treatment Center, Inc. 395 – 1st Street, S.W., Alabaster, AL 35007.

&045;&045; Fred Guarin