THIS SHOULD BE IT

After years of being bandied about, a workable plan as to where to
put a detox centre in this city is finally on the table.

The Safe Harbour Society has a new location for the municipal
planning commission to consider late this month - 5246 - 53 Ave.

The building, currently home to EMCO Supplies, is located across from
A&B Sound. EMCO plans to move next summer.

If the proposal survives the stringent approval process, which
includes public hearings next month, the 20-bed detox centre would be
in operation by late 2006.

Prior to that, a temporary centre would be set up at 4809 - 48 Ave. downtown.

Already, and not surprisingly, the proposed site has attracted
controversy - with local businesses voicing concern and support. It's
encouraging to see some owners give the concept the green light, but
the not-in-my-backyard argument from others is getting tiresome.

While the inevitable arguments heat up, everyone has to remember that
time is running out on this project.

AADAC plans to pull its promised and critical $750,000 in annual
funding if plans aren't firmly in place by Jan. 1.

What's the scenario going to be then?

This is a growing city with the problems that reality brings with it
- - including growing drug use and the prevalent vice of addiction.

Red Deer simply isn't the quiet, relatively problem-free little town
it once was. A detox centre is urgently needed -- it's high time the
city had this kind of service, particularly with reports of rising
drug use across the region.

Unfortunately, where to put it has met with constant opposition -
some based on reason and much based on irrational fear.

The Scott Block, right in the heart of downtown, was floated past the
community last year, but vigorous opposition promptly nixed the proposal.

This year, a proposal to transform the former EXH Engineering
building into a detox centre was suggested, approved, and later
thrown out after a storm of complains from local residents.

It was the latest in a long list of potential sites -- locations have
been brought forward for years now, from the Buffalo Hotel downtown
to spots in Riverside Industrial Park, Riverside Meadows or (least
viable of all) the old Michener Building - far from where addicts are
likely to congregate.

Granted, it's a sensitive, emotional issue tapping into many areas of
a community's consciousness - not just safety concerns, but opinions
on social responsibility.

Some have pointed out that an addict's fight is simply not society's
responsibility; others feel we have no choice but to lend a helping
hand - no matter the risks.

It's uncomfortable to tread into the cloudy territory of what we owe
each other, but we again have to ask ourselves how far are we willing
to go to help those battling addictions?

Let's hope the desire to help others locked in addiction finally
overcomes the litany of often unfounded fears a detox centre brings with it.