By BEN CAMERON
Business concerns over possible shop theft and methadone use links…
CONCERNS in Bunyip over links between methadone users and an increase in crime has seen a public meeting planned for the small town.
Local businesses are planning to call the town meeting in February following a spate of shop thefts believed to be associated with the prescription of methadone at a local medical clinic.
Bunyip Newsagency owner Joe Greco said recent thefts from his shop had forced him to plan a meeting for affected businesses and concerned residents.
“We’ve had a bit stolen,” he said
“If the clinic and pharmacy aren’t going to do anything about it, we will. I think they have their heads in the sand a little bit.
IGA Bunyip manager Mary Veli said there had been a noticeable increase in shoplifting since June.
“It’s got worse in the past few weeks,” she said.
Mrs Veli said staff had followed some offenders to the train station, adding weight to the belief some shoplifters were visitors from out of town.
“It’s an awful big coincidence if it’s not,” she said.
She admitted the issue was a complex one.
“If it’s servicing the area, it’s a good thing. If my children needed methadone I’d use it,” she said.
Dr Dinesh Solanki, who runs Bunyip Pharmacy next door to High Street Medical Centre where methadone is prescribed, said there had been a “massive influx” of people from Gippsland earlier this year after a doctor passed away in Moe who was treating people with various addictions.
“They had nowhere else to go … however most have gone back now as the medical clinic has reopened,“ he said.
“This influx of people only existed for about six weeks but the perception has remained.”
Dr Solanki said the community had little to fear.
“I feel the issues of local crime and shoplifting have been overblown a bit,” he said.
“I’m not sure us dispensing methadone and the crime are linked.
Dr John O’Donohue from the medical centre said he currently prescribed methadone and suboxone to 150 patients for a variety of addictions including heroin, morphine and oxycontin.
“These patients come from all over Gippsland not just Bunyip,” he said.“It’s better to treat people in their local communities.“
BREAK OUT BOX:
A 41-year-old woman from the Latrobe Valley has been arrested over a string of thefts in Bunyip, however the link between an increase and crime and the prescription of methadone have been overstated, Bunyip Police sergeant Ray De Ruse believes.
“It’s totally untrue,” he said.
“A 41-year-old female has been arrested and charged on five counts of theft dating back to May until November.
“She was not on methadone.
“It’s not as serious as people think. There have been some Chinese whispers. If people have information about shoplifting, they should come forward.”
