Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jul 2003
Source: here (CN NB)
Copyright: 2003, here publishing inc.
Contact:  http://www.heresj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2989
Author: Astrid Lloyd

PROSTITUTION IS A DRUG PROBLEM

I'm responding "Sex in the City" (here, June 19-26). I have lived on Coburg 
Street for almost eight years. I have owned a business uptown and have sat 
on the Board of Directors of Uptown Saint John. I love uptown Saint John. I 
would be the last to speak ill of this city and defend and praise it every 
chance I get.

I must say the article brings to light a problem that has been ongoing 
since I have lived on this street. I know this, as I would wait for friends 
to pick me up and would have many cars pulling over in front of my 
apartment, to pick me up (no thanks). The cars I see are 4Runners, 
Mercedes, Pathfinders, expensive .........vehicles. Unbelievable how 
desperate people must be, both the johns and the girls selling themselves.

The problem that the article describes is not the problem we are 
experiencing on this street. Prostitution is the oldest profession in the 
world. This is an addiction problem. These people are out there to earn a 
quick buck for a fix.

On many occasions I have called the police when the women are in front of 
my house, usually arguing and making a disturbance. My walks in this area 
now consist of avoiding condoms on the street.

Look back on our history and remember how prosperous this area was. It 
still has many beautiful homes and apartments. I, the pro-uptown person, 
have considered moving out of the city. I'm pretty well fed up with what is 
happening.

We can choose to ignore it, which has already been done. We can choose to 
act. Let's not make it comfortable or easy for these acts to take place. I 
do empathize with these women. Why not work on a community project to get 
them off the streets and help them with their addiction? Finally, let's do 
something along the lines of what Alberta has done. They have published the 
license plates of the johns. Supply and demand, basic business principles. 
Get rid of the demand.

What the johns should realize is that a lot of these women are sick; they 
will be passing on diseases. Many of these women could possibly have AIDS 
or many other communicable diseases.

Let's bring to light the real problem. Drug addicts. We host wonderful 
things, such as the Jazz & Blues Festival, Festival by the Sea, cruise 
ships and tourists from all over the world. We now have the Harbour 
Passage, Imperial Theatre, Harbour Station, City Market, and great restaurants.

Again I propose we look from within and fix this problem. YES IT DOES 
EXIST!! Let's not turn a blind eye to it. Let's not sweep it under the 
carpet. Come up here and look for yourselves, you will see what we are 
talking about.

Astrid Lloyd,

Saint John
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens