Several neighbors near Punxsutawney are upset after hearing about a facility to treat heroin addicts that could soon open nearby.

We have more on their concerns and what the clinic has to say.

A woman starting up three of these clinics says the drug addicts have a difficult time just deciding to seek help. Now, they could also have to deal with angry neighbors.

Building owner Mark Bennett says it took nine months to get an answer to his for rent sign in the 800 block of Main Street, but he finally did.

Co-founder Marisa Terry of Bridge Into Wellness says via phone that a doctor will prescribe buprenorphine, plus counseling and more, to help heroin and opiate addicts here.

“I actually think it’s going to lower the property value,” says neighbor Donna Sherman.

Sherman says she moved here a few years ago because it’s a nice and quiet. So, she’s been knocking on doors, and planned to attend a residents meeting at a nearby used car dealership about the clinic.

“I’m not necessarily against treatment. I just don’t know that I want it in our neighborhood. There’s other buildings available in this area that’s more like out in the country,” says Sherman.

“Where do you think they should put it?” we asked her husband. “Wherever they can have people contained and controlled,” says Dave Sherman.

There’s no zoning here in Young Township, but supervisor Rose Handyside says they’re mulling a special meeting to allow residents to speak.

“There should be no concern,” says Terry. “There’s no medications on site. Are they concerned if a doctor’s office would prescribe them? People with addiction fall under the Disabilities Act. You can’t discriminate against disabled people.”

“They have to put it somewhere and that building’s empty,” says Elaine Koromaus, who lives in a different neighborhood.

“I told them they were shut down until they get a permit,” says Young Township part-time code enforcement officer Larry Porada.

While we were in the area, we ran into Porada, who says they need a $7 permit to even do work here at the building.

“They have a state inspector that will come in and inspect the work as they’re doing it to make sure they’re doing it right,” says Porada.

Bennett, also an HVAC contractor, later said he does not need a permit to work on doors and windows.

“I don’t even want to see this in our backyard. Especially, I teach kids down there. We have little kids, there are a lot of kids on the street, and this isn’t something for this area,” says Porada.

Terry said via phone that she’s a licensed practical nurse from Ashville, N.Y., and Clymer, and is starting three clinics around the state, also including Lake City and Waynesburg.

“I think that if they would hear and be educated and learn more about our program, we’re hoping to educate them so that they understand what we’re doing, and to calm their fears,” says Terry.

“If they have a problem, they probably should be in prison,” says Dave Sherman.

Meantime, the neighbors’ meeting at the Ken McFarland Selective Cars dealership was set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

No date has been set yet for a township meeting.

Supervisor Sam Farcus said by phone that everything is up in the air at this point. According to secretary Mary Ann Redding, two women from Bridge Into Wellness first gave a presentation at last Wednesday’s meeting about their clinic.