Vivian Dong, the founder of Safe Lynnwood, leads a group of protesters from the future site of a methadone clinic to the nearby Alderwood Boys & Girls Club on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Vivian Dong, the founder of Safe Lynnwood, leads a group of protesters from the future site of a methadone clinic to the nearby Alderwood Boys & Girls Club on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Protect our kids’ is rallying cry Saturday against Lynnwood methadone clinic

Acadia Healthcare plans to dispense methadone to about 300 patients at clinic near Alderwood Boys & Girls Club.

LYNNWOOD — Not in the neighborhood where children play.

That was the message Saturday against an opioid treatment center set to open Jan. 23 at 2322 196th St. SW in Lynnwood.

The protest organized by Safe Lynnwood, a grassroots group of parents and residents, was in front of the medical building that also houses dental offices. Speakers included several City Council members.

About 60 protesters waving signs and chanting “Protect our Kids” then marched down 24th Street West to the nearby Alderwood Boys & Girls Club.

An auto collision center separates the medical building from the ballfields adjacent to the club.

“The location is very problematic,” City Council Vice President Jim Smith told The Daily Herald. “In addition to that, this program is not to stop drug use, it’s to give them a different drug to use.”

The group mobilized at all four corners of the busy intersection at 196th Street SW and Alderwood Mall Parkway to draw more attention to their cause. Cars honked in support.

Vivian Dong, the founder of Safe Lynnwood, leads a group of protesters from the future site of a methadone clinic to the nearby Alderwood Boys & Girls Club on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Vivian Dong, the founder of Safe Lynnwood, leads a group of protesters from the future site of a methadone clinic to the nearby Alderwood Boys & Girls Club on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

The clinic by Acadia Healthcare plans to dispense methadone, a highly regulated medication, to about 300 patients.

“We are not saying no to the people in need, it’s just the location,” said Vivian Dong, a Safe Lynnwood spokesperson. “It’s just a bad location from every single aspect. It poses a big risk to kids and the community. It doesn’t support hundreds of people coming in every day. It’s not in the center of Lynnwood. It’s not fair to the patients.”

The medical plaza has about 30 parking spaces shared by all the offices.

Parents voiced safety concerns and the Lynnwood City Council unanimously opposed the location. The public outcry came too late.

A child goofs around in the crowd as people gather to protest against the opening of a methadone clinic near the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

A child goofs around in the crowd as people gather to protest against the opening of a methadone clinic near the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Until late December, no one on the City Council said they knew that the opioid center was set to open in January. Acadia has been working with Lynnwood’s city planning department since March 2022. Acadia finished its final inspections by Dec. 14 and received the certificate of occupancy from the city on Dec. 19.

At last Monday’s meeting, City Council President George Hurst urged people to send emails and write letters to the state Department of Health in a last-ditch effort.

At that meeting, as with the one the previous week, dozens of community members had picket signs and impassioned public comments about the proximity of children and the lack of proper infrastructure.

These concerns were voiced again Saturday.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Jim Smith speaks against the location of a new methadone clinic during a protest on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Jim Smith speaks against the location of a new methadone clinic during a protest on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

“There could be a much better place for it that’s not next to kids. The last thing they need is a line of drug addicts waiting to get another fix,” said Bryan Smith, who lives in the neighborhood.

Proponents of the treatment center have said it’s desperately needed, part of the solution for combating a longstanding opioid crisis that has hit Snohomish County especially hard.

No proponents were observed at Saturday’s rally.

Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.

Talk to us

More in Local News

FILE - Former President Donald J. Trump watches the NCAA Wrestling Championships, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Lawyer: Trump indicted, 1st ex-president charged with crime

Former president Donald Trump has been indicted on charges in New York regarding payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter.

Jeanette Westover poses for a photo at her home in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tenant: Housing Hope ignored meth contamination at Snohomish apartment

Jeanette Westover says meth contamination far exceeding state limits gave her seizures and kidney infections.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Police investigating cause of fatal 3-vehicle crash on Highway 9

The man, 61, crossed the center line in Snohomish on Monday and crashed into the truck, the sheriff’s office said.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
1 dead, 1 in hospital after 3-vehicle crash on Highway 9

A concrete pumping truck and two sedans crashed Monday afternoon, closing the highway near Bickford Avenue.

Moses Malachi Brewer appears in court for sentencing Friday, March 24, 2023, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Man sentenced to 18 years for 2019 shooting in Everett

Moses Brewer, 23, shot four people in an Everett apartment, which left one victim paralyzed on his right side.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
Health care spending continues to outpace inflation, driven by prices

Can state efforts curb 6.7% growth per year in overall health care spending?

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112
A buffet of budgets, a bunch of whales and a request for your miles

It’s Day 78. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

Erinn Dearth and Dan Beckmann will perform 7 p.m. at The Historic Everett Theater, on Friday, April 14, 2023. Their "Letters From Home" show features music from the soundtracks of WWII, Vietnam and more. (Photo provided)
USO-style variety show to make stop at Historic Everett Theatre

The cast of “Letters from Home” hopes to reach veterans, active military members and their families.

Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in Mount Vernon, Wash. This is the final week to head out to Mount Vernon to enjoy the of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival which ends on May 2nd.(Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tulip Festival brings spectacular traffic jams, blooms to Skagit Valley

Thousands will visit the annual flower fest that kicks off Saturday and runs through April. Here are some tips.

Most Read