Growing concerns around how new addiction treatment models are operating in London

Businesses in a Dundas Street plaza are frustrated after interactions with people gathering outside a pharmacy that provides methadone. Reta Ismail reports.

Businesses in a Dundas Street plaza near Argyle Mall say they are frustrated after repeated interactions with people gathering outside a local pharmacy that provides addiction treatment services.

Some business owners say the situation has left staff feeling uneasy and has discouraged customers from visiting the area.

Issam Hatoum, manager of Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ, says employees sometimes feel unsafe going outside at night.

“They’re lying around, and we couldn’t even step to [get rid of] the grease or the garbage at night. The girls are scared to go because they don’t feel safe,” he said.

Just a few doors down, Luke Powner, store manager at Popeyes Supplements, says his staff have had similar experiences.

“[They] are usually outside kind of slumped over, unfortunately, which I would say deters some customers maybe from coming in, [and] a lot of time when our staff are taking out the garbage at night [it] does make them feel a little bit uncomfortable,” he said.

Pharmacies across Ontario have dispensed methadone and other medications used to treat opioid addiction for years, operating under provincial regulations and local zoning rules.

But last year, five pharmacies in London partnered with New Dawn Medical, a national company that provides addiction treatment services. Under the model, patients can receive a virtual medical assessment from a physician who can prescribe medications used to treat addiction, including methadone. The pharmacy then dispenses those medications on site.

The Progressive Drug Mart on Dundas Street has provided addiction treatment services for more than a decade. However, some nearby businesses say the newer model has coincided with a greater visible presence of people experiencing homelessness around the plaza.

In an email to CTV News, pharmacist and owner Vinh Huynh said the pharmacy follows strict medical protocols when providing care.

“Pharmacists work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers under strict protocols to ensure patients receive safe, supervised and regulated care,” Huynh said.

CTV News also reached out to New Dawn Medical for comment. The company declined an interview but provided a written statement.

“We are improving the community by reducing the use of street drugs, overdoses, and providing patients with excellent care, counselling and access to other recovery supports,” the statement reads in part.

The Argyle Business Improvement Area says the plaza has become a frequent source of complaints from local businesses.

Argyle BIA Executive Director Bethany Mejia says the organization has hired private security to respond to calls from business owners and help manage situations when people refuse to leave the property.

“We actually had a meeting just last week with the London Police Service on how we’re going to help mitigate these sorts of issues for the businesses in the area, in addition to the services we’re providing currently,” Mejia said.

London’s deputy mayor says the issue may require further oversight at the provincial level.

“I think the larger part is that the Ministry of Health, the Ontario College of Pharmacists, needs to do a review of how these businesses are operating. How much of a prescription is being administered? Making sure that the prescriptions are being issued by a physician who’s actually seeing the patient, not through an online zoom or teams meeting prescription of medication of this sort of severity,” said Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis.

City officials say addiction treatment services remain a key part of addressing the opioid crisis. But some local leaders and business owners say they want to see stronger oversight and more supports to address the impacts on surrounding businesses and neighbourhoods.

City of London issues statement

“The City of London Zoning Bylaw No. Z 1 regulates how land and buildings are used, the location of buildings, lot coverage, building heights, and other provisions necessary to ensure proper development. Permitted uses for the locations noted on the provided NewDawn website can be found at: Zoning | City of London.

Any complaints related to the use of a property can be reported to Municipal Compliance by phone at 519-661-4660 or via email at [e-mail].

The Ontario College of Pharmacists and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario are the regulating bodies for these professions. Property standards related complaints should be directed to Municipal Compliance by email at [e-mail] and concerns related to personal safety should be directed to the London Police Service,“ said Amanda Pfeffer, director of municipal compliance with the City of London in a statement.