The Sanford Council has skirted an application to site a methadone clinic in town by instead approving a moratorium on such facilities.

We think this was an unprofessional move by the council to prevent a business from opening within its borders. Although it may be legal, it seemed like an underhanded move to wait for an application to decide the ordinance is not sufficient.

Many people may not like having a methadone clinic or marijuana dispensary in their town, but the fact is, those facilities are allowed under law and unless a town prohibits or regulates such places, they should not put up barriers once an application is in hand.

Massachusetts-based Spectrum Health Systems Inc. submitted an application this fall to build a methadone clinic at 61 Eagle Drive in Sanford Industrial Estates. The town’s industrial parks are approved as locations for methadone clinics under an ordinance crafted in 2008. The ordinance prohibits the clinics from locating in the downtown area, Springvale Village or within a half-mile of any school.

The company was scheduled to go before the planning board for a public hearing on its application Wednesday, but the hearing has been canceled since the moratorium was instated on Tuesday.

Town officials should never have sent the ordinance forward if there were not happy with its wording or regulations. To vote on a last-minute ban is not the way to do business ”“ it is disrespectful to the company that spent time and money to put together the application within the town’s guidelines, and it also does not consider the people who may need access to one of these clinics.

Drug addiction is a major problem, especially in Maine. This state has the highest rate of prescription drug abuse in the nation, according to a report from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released in January. Since 1998, the report shows, Maine has seen an increase in people seeking treatment for addiction to non-heroin opiates ”“ and at a higher rate than other states and the country.

The use of “bath salts” is also on the rise, and in places like Bangor, police are seeing a spike in use. Bills have been introduced to make the substance illegal in the state and the nation.

These drug abuse problems will not fix themselves, and part of the solution is treatment. People need access to that treatment, however, to get better.

Spectrum Health Systems Inc. was trying to bring that treatment option to York County. While there are clinics located in New Hampshire and South Portland, there are no clinics in this county, which may put a barrier between those who need treatment and a clinic within their reach.

It is unfortunate that Sanford councilors took this route, but we urge them to expedite their review process and pass an ordinance with which they can be satisfied. Spectrum Health Systems Inc. should be allowed to continue the process where it left off ”“ should it choose to continue its application ”“ once regulations are in place and the moratorium has expired.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.