DIRTY SECRETS

For several weeks, there has been much profile about the epidemic
abuse of the drug Oxycontin in this province, and officials publicly
acknowledging there is a major problem.

Then last week, citizens in a community on the Avalon chased away an
organization looking to set up a centre to help those with substance
abuse. A meeting on the proposal turned nasty, and Teen Challenge
withdrew its application.

The area residents may think it's a victory, but it's
not.

In fact, what it demonstrated were other serious problems - denial and
irrationalism. The protests, catcalls and stereotypes expressed during
that meeting were perfect examples of classic NIMBYism and
it-doesn't-happen-in-our-neighbourhood syndrome.

There were verbalized concerns of parents no longer being able to let
their children out to play, with nightmares of them stepping on drug
needles, increased criminal activity, property values going down and
general terror in the community.

But there were also proponents of the centre, arguing that many were
looking at this issue with blinders and rose-coloured glass, which of
course sent the forum into a tizzy.

The problem is that many still refuse to give up this shady image of
drug addicts as messed up junkies huddled in alleyways, carrying
knives and guns, products of a cesspool of merciless sin city life.

To them, drug addicts don't live in the outports or the
suburbs.

The fact is substance abuse makes victims of power-suit professionals
who drive SUVs, fishers from the bay, your 13-year-old son or
daughter, and many others in just about all walks of life. Alcoholics
aren't just barflies and pinky-swilling hobos. They live on the
streets of downtown St. John's, but they also live next door.

The people of Manuels, and every other town in this province, have to
admit that substance abuse already exists in their communities. The
clients of a treatment centre, those who suffer from the disease of
addiction, are probably the ones they have to worry about the least.
Generally, they have made the decision to get better and want to
change their lives.

But it comes down to perception. Nobody wants to have such a facility
in their picture-perfect towns.

It seems as a society we express concern and fear about the real
problems of drug and alcohol addiction, and demand action. Yet, when
it deals with our own communities, we want to sweep it all under the
rug, lest it might devalue our properties or dissuade business.

We want people to be treated, yet we don't want it to happen within
our communities, treating those who suffer from addiction as outcasts,
to be helped in isolation, like prisoners of Alcatraz.

There is now some thought about occupying the former youth assessment
centre in Gander with a program like Teen Challenge. Our hope is that
if this becomes a real possibility, area residents look at it with a
rational approach, a clear mind and a full understanding of what it
all means.

Chasing programs out of town after town, until it's sent out of the
province, will not only be a shame for those who can use the services,
it will be a step back for all of this province.

Even though you don't want to believe it, it might be your son or
daughter - or even you - that might need their help one day.

Reprinted from The Beacon