TREATMENT CENTRE NO THREAT

I'd like to know where this myth began that drug treatment facilities
near playgrounds are unsafe for children? ("Rehab centre near
playground sparks concerns," Sept. 17.) Show me one example where a
resident from a drug treatment facility (or one of his/her visitors)
perpetrated a crime against a child playing in the closest park?
Historically, the numbers just don't bear out the argument. Any
well-run facility near a playground or school should be choosing its
patients accordingly so as to not bring any potential threat to the
community. AADAC operated a methadone clinic in Edmonton in the
residential community of Belmead for two decades across the street
from two grade schools with large sports fields and busy playgrounds.
I'd invite anyone to inquire of the Edmonton police how many times it
has linked a crime against a child to a patient at that clinic.

Don Sulatycky

(You can't blame parents for being concerned.)