ARTIS APPARENTLY DOESN'T KNOW SALEM

Obviously, Jeff Artis (March 7 commentary, "Put methadone clinic at
the VA Medical Center") hasn't been to Salem or the Veterans Affairs
Medical Center lately, or ever. He says by putting it there, it would
be away from our children and residential areas. Hello!

There are two schools less than a block away - East Salem Elementary
and the Arnold R. Burton Technology Center, which gets kids both bused
and dropped off all day long. They may not be high school kids, but
they are still the age Artis says aren't noticed by police.

Then, right across the street we have neighborhoods full of children,
a new park in the works straight down Hemlock, and a day care at the
church up the street.

I'm not saying that I know the solution as to where the methadone
clinic should be, nor am I going to offer one out of the blue. But I
do suggest that before Artis suggests another one, he research the
area a little bit better before he offers it up.

Joanna Blankenship

Salem