LET'S NOT ENCOURAGE DRUG ADDICTS TO MOVE HERE

Recently my dog Sophie and I walked into Galbraith Park (at the 55th
Street entrance), as we do most mornings, and noticed a new addition
to the park (shown in the photo above).

My initial thought was, "What is that there for?"

Sophie and I continued on our walk and I started thinking.

"What is that repository for used needles there for? Why for used
needles silly!"

Then my thoughts went to, "Well, who is going to put used needles
into it? The drug addicts after they inject incapacitating drugs into
themselves? Not likely.

"Is whoever is responsible for placing the box there trying to create
a nice place in the park for drug users to use their drugs? After
all, there is a nice bench there."

Are concerned citizens who find used syringes on the ground going to
put them in the box? Maybe a small percentage, but most citizens are
not going to risk possibly stabbing themselves with a killer disease.

They would probably call someone from the City of Red Deer to deal with it.

So who is going to fill that great big box right at the entrance to
one of the city's parks?

That great big box probably cost $2,000 to make and another $1,000 to
install in our beautiful park.

Then my mind went to what kind of message the presence of the box in
the park sends to the various people who see it with its warning
messages on it.

This big box seems to be very contradictory to me.

The city is spending huge amounts of tax dollars on revitalizing its
parks and promoting the parks and yet we are allowing such an
obtrusive thing to send the wrong message to the public.

If this sort of thing continues, you will see it get worse.

Please do not allow well-intentioned people to invite more drug
addicts into our city.

John Ramsay
Red Deer