SAY 'NO,' ROANOKE,TO METHADONE CLINIC

It is very regrettable that the National Specialty Clinics of Nashville,
Tenn., has proposed that a methadone clinic be established at 3208
Hershberger Road N.W.

The Garden of Prayer Number 7 Church, under the pastorate of the Rev.
Shadrack Brown Jr., is located on Cove Road Northwest. Brown and his
congregation are in the process of having a gymnasium constructed as part
of its expansion beside the church. This is an indication that they will
continue to provide religious and recreational training for Roanoke's children.

The gymnasium will help draw youth away from temptations of the street and
direct them toward a Christian life. The proposed methadone clinic is
within a stone's throw of this facility.

Carilion Health Systems delivered a devastating blow to our community when
it gave Blue Ridge Behavioral Health Care the historic Burrell Memorial
Nursing Center. Blue Ridge will provide public mental health, mental
retardation and substance abuse services to people throughout the Roanoke
Valley. The proposed methadone clinic also will provide substance abuse
services. It is not necessary or desirable for two clinics of this nature
to be located in our community.

Urban removal - oh, it's urban renewal - was a major method used by city
officials in destroying all our Northeast and some Northwest neighborhoods
and communities. Private property was bought cheaply, only to be resold and
developed as commercial establishments.

These complex, unfair transactions resulted in tears in the fabric of black
communities - a loss of connectivity, community pride, neighborhood
churches, businesses, schools and recreational centers that were within
walking distance. To date, these tears have not been mended. Citizens knew
nothing about the proposed methadone clinic until it was published in the
newspaper. There was no prior notice or public hearing, so there could have
been no outcries of concern. Brian Townsend, head of the city's planning
department, and Darlene Burcham, Roanoke's city manager, both claim they
knew nothing about the proposed clinic's activities. Shouldn't they know
what type of business is being located in our city, or do they care as long
as it's in the Northwest instead of Southwest? Do they care that the clinic
would be located within walking distance of three schools and right next to
a gymnasium?

It is safe to say that no community wants a methadone clinic. Our diverse
citizenry does not want the proposed methadone clinic to be located at 3208
Hershberger Road, N.W. Will city administrators stand up and stand firm on
our behalf to keep our schools safe and for the protection of our children
and neighborhoods?