Meth Clinic Run Out Of Town

[Rhettzky]

Can't they just sell the stuff at regular pharmacies and dilute the problem that way?

[CM ONE]

I think I'd take a wait and see approach to this if it ended up in my neighborhood instead of running it out right away. However the clinic screwed up in two ways: First they didn't consult the community before they planned to move in and second, they didn't show up afterwards to defend themselves. Regardless of action by the landlord they could have used this opportunity to get their message out, even if it's for the benefit of the next community they try to locate in. I think these two mistakes added to the rage of the residents.

However I don't think Braeside is all that bad of a location. It is bus accessible and there is low-income housing all around. Perfect for someone who has perhaps lost it all and is trying to get back on their feet.

But, if I started finding needles and people rooting through my back yard, I'd want it gone ASAP.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Can't they just sell the stuff at regular pharmacies and dilute the problem that way?

After the events where a little girl took her mothers drugs mixed with juice, do you really want these people taking it home with them.

There's good reasons for having the treatment in a supervised setting with councilors in place.

The last thing that we would really want is people faking prescriptions for this stuff and selling it on the streets, or selling it to kids.

These addicts need monitoring and help, not just a prescription treatment.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Something to think about.

Not only that, what about the effect on property values.

Putting a clinic like this in can instantly drop the property value of every house on that block by 10-20%. I know a lot of struggling families who simply cannot afford to lose that much equity.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CM ONE

However I don't think Braeside is all that bad of a location. It is bus accessible and there is low-income housing all around. Perfect for someone who has perhaps lost it all and is trying to get back on their feet.

So lets move all the problems to the poorer communities? The kids there are already more succeptible to drug addiction and crime, this is a horrible idea.

Good on the people of Braeside for standing up for their rights.

[Dion]

Shame on the people of Braeside. The ugly mob mentality that showed up at that meeting and those that threatened the staff of the clinic are a disagrace to society. It's no wonder staff from the clinic didn't show up to dispell some of the fear mongering.

[Superflyer]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Something to think about.

Not really, that is apples and oranges. That was about safe injection sites. Those are for people that have an addiction and don't want help. The meth clinic is for people that have a problem and want help. Big difference there. They are not going to go to the meth clinic for their next hit, they are going there for help so they don't need that "next hit"

[urban1]

This was handled poorly on the clinic's part. With all the oposition theyve gotten up to this point they should have known it wouldnt go over well if they quietely opened up in Braeside.
If its true that the clinic's clients for the most part arent street addicts and are "normal" citizens who have pain killer addictions, they should have made a public arguement based on this and tried to ease peoples concerns.

Braeside makes no sense for the reasons already listed in this thread. Why put it in a suburban neighbourhood rather deep in the city's south end without easy access by public transportation. An area like Brdigeland or Inglewood wouldnt be the answer either as they have enough problems with being close to downtown.
Why not run this program out of somewhere like the new Sheldon Shumir centre on 4th Street downtown. There must be space somewhere downtown that the zoning would allow a medical clinic and that this clinic could afford the rent.

I think often times people say "Damn Nimbys" when its not theyre neighbourhood being considered. Its easy to blame the Nimbys in Braeside if your living in Tuscany. Why not put this thing near the new Crowfoot train station in the NW?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Dion

Shame on the people of Braeside. The ugly mob mentality that showed up at that meeting and those that threatened the staff of the clinic are a disagrace to society. It's no wonder staff from the clinic didn't show up to dispell some of the fear mongering.

Are you serious or being sarcastic?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by urban1

If its true that the clinic's clients for the most part arent street addicts and are "normal" citizens who have pain killer addictions, they should have made a public arguement based on this and tried to ease peoples concerns.

That was thier intention but the mob mentality and threats to staff members changed that. People would rather live in fear as opposed to finding out the facts.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Are you serious or being sarcastic?

I'm quite serious.

[CM ONE]

Originally Posted by blankall

So lets move all the problems to the poorer communities? The kids there are already more succeptible to drug addiction and crime, this is a horrible idea.

Good on the people of Braeside for standing up for their rights.

I'm not sure what "rights" you are referring to here. The right to threaten people they don't want around?

And to put people who have traveled down a dark road and are recovering amongst kids with the potential to travel that same path? This is a bad idea? I would think they'd be a positive influence.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by enthused

What makes you think there aren't addicts near your home now? Not every addict is the stereotypical street bum who hasn't showered in months and shoots up in an alley. There are plenty of "white collar" addicts too. The article even says how many of the clinic's clients are doctors and nurses who turned to drugs to try to keep up with the long hours.

Braeside might not have been the best location for the clinic, but really, where is? Its a shame that because many residents there are only concerned about themselves and how their community looks that a lot of people wont be able to get the help that they need.

Key word there was chemical addicts.

White collar addicts aren't a potential danger to my hypothetical family (unless driving I suppose).

[Dion]

Originally Posted by enthused

What makes you think there aren't addicts near your home now? Not every addict is the stereotypical street bum who hasn't showered in months and shoots up in an alley. There are plenty of "white collar" addicts too. The article even says how many of the clinic's clients are doctors and nurses who turned to drugs to try to keep up with the long hours.

Braeside might not have been the best location for the clinic, but really, where is? Its a shame that because many residents there are only concerned about themselves and how their community looks that a lot of people wont be able to get the help that they need.

Well stated!

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

To me, putting the site in Braeside was utter stupidity.

First off, there's no train access, second, its right across the street from a children's playground/athletic park, and third, its a suburban residential community.

To me, these clinics belong in one of two places: Industrial Parks, Hospitals/Health Region Urgent Care Clinics. Downtown is the typical answer, but its already a lightning rod for addicts.

Exactly. Its disingenuous to suggest not in an unsuitable family community means not in the city.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Dion

I'm quite serious.

They had their chance...

But the president of Braeside community association said emotions ran high at the meeting after the clinic's staff failed to show up to explain how it operates and why it's important.

"It was adding insult to injury right from the get-go because there was nobody there to answer questions," said Kim Edwards.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Rerun

They had their chance...

The mob mentality prevented that. Would you show up if threats were made against you and your staff. Not exactly a friendly enviroment to try and dispell the fear mongering

It's a shame that the residents of Braeside couldn't act like civilised human beings.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Dion

The mob mentality prevented that. Would you show up if threats were made against you and your staff. Not exactly a friendly enviroment to try and dispell the fear mongering

It's a shame that the residents of Braeside couldn't act like civilised human beings.

I think the community residents were upset, and rightly so, because they felt that the clinic tried to slide into the area, under the radar so to speak, without consulting the community first....

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CM ONE

I'm not sure what "rights" you are referring to here. The right to threaten people they don't want around?

And to put people who have traveled down a dark road and are recovering amongst kids with the potential to travel that same path? This is a bad idea? I would think they'd be a positive influence.

Positive influence? Why not put the drug addicts in a rich community then. By your logic, that should be a better influence on them.

As for rights what about the right to not have a constant nuisance in your neighbourhood.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I think the community residents were upset, and rightly so, because they felt that the clinic tried to slide into the area, under the radar so to speak, without consulting the community first....

It doesn't excuse thier behaviour.

"The staff are intimidated -- they've received threats," said an angry Ham.