Pubdate: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 Source: Roanoke Times (VA) Copyright: 2003 Roanoke Times Contact: http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368 Author: Ben Davis Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Roanoke Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) NIMBYISM IS THE PROBLEM - NOT THE CLINIC With all the recent protests of new methadone clinics coming to Roanoke, I notice the "not in my back yard" syndrome taking effect - the attitude that many people seem to acquire when they see a problem and want to help, but they don't want it in their back yard. Wow, what a cop-out. Those who are seeking help should be helped and should be looked upon with compassion, not as criminals and vagrants as so many seem to feel they are. Just because people are addicted to a drug doesn't mean they're a bad person. Rather, they're generally good people who are addicted to something bad. I've seen people strung out on heroin and how they struggle while going through therapy. It's hard enough for them to get the help they need without having to put up with people who seem to be too self-centered to lend a hand. The problem isn't the clinics coming into the valley. It's the ongoing closed-mindedness of so many people who turn their backs on those who need help. Sometimes we all need to take a walk in someone else's shoes. BEN DAVIS ROANOKE - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake