Pubdate: Sun, 19 Apr 2009
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Robert Ross
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n421/a09.html

ZONING NO OBSTACLE

Re: "Methadone clinic threatens to close doors," April 14.

The city recently determined that the Second Chance Recovery (SCR) 
methadone treatment clinic must relocate by June 30 from its 
northeast industrial location due to inappropriate zoning. The clinic 
has approximately 500 clients who are struggling to overcome their 
chemical addictions.

The program offers hope to overcome dependency sickness with the 
ultimate goal of becoming more productive members of society. Without 
the treatment program, clients become susceptible and the community 
at large is subject to risk of increased crime, the need for higher 
levels of policing and health-care servicing, and greater numbers of 
street persons, vagrancy and panhandling, as a direct result of 
individuals needing to feed their drug dependency.

The city has zoning language alternatives to prevent SCR's forced 
relocation. The current zoning category of the clinic's location 
could be amended to permit a methadone clinic use, or the site could 
be spot-zoned to allow a medical clinic. The entire issue resides 
with one of community leadership and compassion, in doing what is 
best in the big picture for Calgary and in helping those in need. How 
big is the city's heart in helping others in the context of Calgary 
proclaiming to be the Heart of the New West?

Robert Ross, Calgary
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom