Pubdate: Thu, 19 Apr 2001
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.uniontrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Author: James Varnadore
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n639/a05.html

DRUG TREATMENT FACILITIES NEEDED IN NEIGHBORHOODS

Re: "Drug policy shift" (Editorial, April 11):

Residential drug treatment facilities in residential neighborhoods is an 
idea whose time has come, and two observations immediately come to mind:

Such facilities should be located in relatively affluent neighborhoods. You 
are correct about the difficulty of siting facilities there, but let's not 
be put off by that. The treatment need in such neighborhoods never has been 
seriously considered, because we have focused on treatment for poor addicts 
instead.

Such facilities also should be tied in with the president's funding 
initiative for religious groups that render community services. Church 
groups in affluent communities could provide and supervise treatment 
facilities for residents of those areas who are addicted and in need of 
treatment.

Leadership and success in affluent neighborhoods also would make it easier 
and more inviting for church groups in other areas to join and establish 
facilities for their residents.

James Varnadore, City Heights
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D