Pubdate: Tue, 11 Sep 2007
Source: Richmond News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.richmond-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1041/a07.html
Author: Alan Halliday

CANADA WAS BUILT ON TOLERANCE, ENCOURAGEMENT AND SECOND CHANCES

The Editor,

Re: "Drug recovery house turns neighbours against neighbours," the 
News letters, Sept. 7.

Judging by some of the letters to the Richmond News regarding the 
Turning Point recovery home, it seems some people have learned 
absolutely nothing from the last time we had a home being placed in our city.

This was a situation that turned very ugly very quickly when some of 
the neighbours in the Odlin district acted in a very unwelcoming way. 
There were demonstrations outside the home of people chanting "go 
away" repeatedly in loud voices and also the playing of loud music 
outside the home for hours on end.

This while people were trying to progress through the recovery 
process. Fortunately, there were in this neighbourhood people who 
supported and indeed encouraged the home as most of us would.

Eventually, the situation calmed down and I understand that over the 
years there has not been one bad incident with regard to the area 
from anyone from the home.

If the Ash Street neighbours who are complaining about the home being 
placed in their area would go visit the Odlin neighbourhood and talk 
to the residents as well as the people at the Turning Point recovery 
home, they would very quickly have all their fears relieved.

Canadians believe in tolerance, encouragement and second chances and 
this is exactly what people with substance abuse problems need.

Alan Halliday

Richmond
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