AHS Views

Many communities object to having drug rehab centers, halfway houses – anything to do with drug or alcohol treatment, actually – in their neighborhood. In just the last two days I’ve read news articles about public concern over treatment centers in Arizona, Oregon, and California. Three states that are in serious need of drug rehab programs.

I understand the reluctance. The idea of having your kid playing out in the front yard and being approached by an alcoholic or drug addict is a little frightening. And we may be perfectly upstanding law-abiding citizens ourselves who don’t drink very much, don’t take drugs and are contributing members of society and we want to live in communities with people like ourselves.

On the other hand, there’s really no getting away from the drug problem. And, one way or another, it’s going to impact your life. It may not be now, but if it keeps accelerating, it will eventually. And the only way it’s going to stop accelerating is if perfectly upstanding law-abiding citizens who are productive members of society reach out and help.

It may not be by voting for a halfway house to be opened next door, but there might other things you can do to contribute to the establishment of a successful drug rehab program. Get constructive. Get with your city council and see what you can do about solving the problem – you and your family will benefit in the end.