RESIDENTS are campaigning for tighter controls on the handing out of methadone to drug addicts in their community.
People living in Meir say part of the main shopping area has become a no-go zone because addicts hang around outside a pharmacy to collect their heroin substitute.
They currently go to The Co-operative Pharmacy, in Weston Road, during the day to collect their prescription.
But it is alleged they then stay in the area throughout the day intimidating shoppers.
Calls have been made for the service to be moved to the �11 million health centre, on the site of the former Kings Arms.
And campaigners want people using the service to be given stricter controls about when they can collect the drug.
Brian Jones, chairman of Woodfarm Residents' Association, in Meir, said the problems had been getting worse over the past three years.
He said: "When they come for their methadone they don't get it and leave, they are hanging around on Weston Road and it's intimidating.
"I understand they have to get the methadone, but the current setup is not working."
Mr Jones recently visited a Chester pharmacy where methadone distribution is more controlled.
He said: "People are told to go to the pharmacy between 7.30am and 8.30am or 5pm and 6pm and they go through a back door."
"In Meir, they can go anytime in the day and use the front door, and we need restrictions putting in place.
The 3,000 square metre primary care centre, which will bring together six GP practices is to open in October.
NHS Stoke on Trent has confirmed a pharmacy will be included, but it is not clear yet if it will provide methadone.
Paul Hulme, chairman of Meir High Residents Association, said: "We want the new health centre to provide methadone, but at set times which will not coincide with when children are walking to and from school."
BNP Councillor Michael Coleman, Meir North, said: "The tendering process for the new chemist needs to be looked at very closely to make sure the residents get what they want.
"The current situation is not acceptable and is undermining the reputation of the area."
The methadone service in Meir is commissioned by Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug Service, which includes Stoke-on-Trent City Council representatives..
Councillor Ross Irving, cabinet member for community safety, said: "The service offers support to drug users across the city and part of this support might include the prescribing of methadone.
"This is dispensed by a number of city pharmacies. There is a contract in place between all service users and the Community Drug Service which sets out acceptable standards of behaviour both within the Community Drug Service and with external organisations, such as pharmacies.
"Pharmacies are encouraged to use it to report any concerns they may have with individual service users, either concerning their prescribed medication, concerns relating to service users' safety or untoward behaviour in or around the pharmacy.
"We will be talking to the pharmacy in Meir to see if we can help address these issues."
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