A methadone clinic that helps Calgary addicts kick their drug habits is being told to move because it does not have the proper zoning permit.

Second Chance Recovery was located downtown for six years, but its lease was not renewed, so it relocated to a light industrial park on 41st Avenue N.E. three months ago.

But the Highland Park Community Association pointed out the area isn't zoned for a medical clinic, resulting in the city sending two letters to Second Chance ordering it to move out.

'I'm totally clean. It wouldn't have happened without this clinic.'—Amanda Tisseur, former addict

Bill Leslie, who runs the private clinic, said the landlord told him the location would allow a medical centre. Leslie said he will appeal the city's eviction notice.

"If we're going to fight the drug problem, we have to start with treatment — we have no treatment centres in Alberta," Leslie said.

Leslie said about 500 people from all walks of life — who are mostly addicted to prescription drugs — use the clinic.

"I would wish that they could come down here and maybe meet some of us and meet the people before they start, you know, getting upset that bad things are going to happen to their neighbourhood," said Michelle Markatic, who goes to the clinic about once a week.

Calgary's only other methadone treatment centre is run by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, and there's a three-month waiting list. Leslie said closing the doors at Second Chance Recovery could put the lives of its clients at risk.

Several former addicts said the clinic changed their lives.

"I was on the street with a sign, a blanket…. I was almost dead. I had overdoses. I almost died so many times. I got stabbed.… I was found in the dumpster once," said Dallas Bradley, who was addicted to heroin, morphine and crack cocaine.

"I have a life now. I'm going back to school. I have a house…. It's changed my life."

"I'm a happy, clean new mother of a little boy," Amanda Tisseur said. "I'm totally clean. It wouldn't have happened without this clinic."

City willing to help find alternate location: alderman

A 50-bed addiction treatment facility, which has applied for the proper zoning changes, is in the works for the same area as Second Chance.

"So should this community be the place in the city where all those activities are concentrated?" Bill Morrison from the community association wondered.

"The City of Calgary, the corporation and administration has over the past few years come to, I think, an understanding with themselves and the communities that they will begin to decentralize those services through the city."

Ald. Bob Hawkesworth, who represents the area, said the clinic should have checked the zoning itself before setting up shop.

He said the city is willing to work with Second Chance to find a suitable location.