Pubdate: Sat, 09 Oct 2004
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Robyn Vergara

SPEAK UP ABOUT HOMELESS AND ADDICTS

Editor, The NEWS:

Our community seems to be looking more like King George Hwy. in Surrey or 
the Downtown Eastside. The homeless are growing in numbers and nobody seems 
to approve of their presence. So now that we know there is a problem, what 
are we going to do about it?

The solution is multidimensional. It will be difficult to implement, but 
not impossible. One thing that every citizen of Maple Ridge can do is to 
contact the RCMP, the Mayor and our MLAs on a daily basis and let them know 
we want solutions implemented. Your calls will force them to put pressure 
on our provincial government to enhance the services that we provide in 
Maple Ridge. These services are in addictions, mental health, program 
development and housing.

The Salvation Army has attempted to provide a safe shelter for those in 
need but due to minimal budget and lack of addiction-based programs, it has 
instead become a gathering place for drug abuse and crime. Money is needed 
to help the Salvation Army provide adequate services for the Caring Place. 
If the homeless and addicted have a safe, regulated place to stay it would 
be easier for the community to provide the services that we so desperately 
need and to develop a tracking system so that these people do not fall 
through the cracks.

We are in need of more individuals who are skilled in dealing with people 
that are suffering with addictions and with mental illness. These issues 
are prevalent in every community (not just our own.) The people who are 
already working in these areas have large caseloads and it is obvious that 
if the population of homeless continues to grow, they will be unable to 
keep up. The professionals in this field have been letting us know for a 
while now that this is a major concern and it affects all of us. It isn't 
rapidly moving to our suburbs. It is already here.

It is evident that people of Maple Ridge feel that by removing their 
resources of food and shelter it will cause them to leave of our community. 
Although this is a popular suggestion, it is only a Band-Aid, not a cure.

We can no longer ignore this problem. It must be dealt with in a timely, 
manner. We as citizens have a right to live in a safe, clean community. By 
making our voices heard loud and clear, we can let the government know how 
to proceed in spending our tax dollars.

Robyn Vergara Maple Ridge
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D