Pubdate: Sat, 11 Nov 2006
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Dalson Chen, Windsor Star

CRIME, DRUG ABUSE LINKED

Crack cocaine addiction is out of control in Windsor and the city 
doesn't have the facilities to handle it, said downtown demonstrators 
on Friday.

Just after 6 p.m. in Fred Thomas Park, about 40 people raised 
placards to demand construction of a medical treatment centre for 
those with drug problems.

Rally organizer Sophia Martin, 43, said the "detox" centre currently 
located in the west end wasn't built for treatment, making it little 
more than a "flophouse."

"There's no detox going on there," Martin said. "It's a shelter for 
the homeless, that's all.... Nobody is being detoxified. It's just a 
rest stop."

James Davis, pastor at Cutting Edge International Church, said he 
believes there are "hundreds and hundreds" of crack addicts in 
Windsor, and their numbers are growing.

"It is a major problem. Month by month, it's accelerating," said 
Davis, 42. "It's in our high schools."

Martin said she's tried crack cocaine in the past, and her siblings 
have become addicts.

According to Martin, city problems such as crime and street 
prostitution are on the rise, and crack cocaine is to blame. "It goes 
hand in hand," she said.

Along with members of the community, the small rally was attended by 
a handful of candidates in the Nov. 13 municipal elections.

Mayoral candidate Mohamed Chams, 36, criticized incumbents for 
ignoring the event. "In all honesty, shame on our current mayor and 
council for not attending tonight," he said.

Mohamed Ali Beydoun, also a mayoral candidate, guaranteed that he 
would build a new treatment centre if elected. "That's my promise."

Ward 2 councillor candidate Chris Schnurr, 33, said he supports a new 
centre because he's seen the effects of addiction on a personal level.

Schnurr said one of his friends fell into prostitution as a result of 
alcoholism and drug abuse. Schnurr said a new treatment centre with 
"real detox" would be "an important first step" in ensuring similar 
stories don't become common.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine