DISMAYED BY SUPPORT FOR METHADONE CLINIC

I'M DISMAYED that you support a methadone clinic at the corner of Ogden Road
and Colonial Avenue (Sept. 12 editorial, "End the commute for recovering
addicts").

Despite the partisan assurances to the contrary by the spokesperson for the
for-profit Life Center of Galax, one needs only to search the Internet briefly
to come up with numerous citations on the increased criminal activity -
burglary, violence and drug trafficking - precipitated by the opening of a
methadone clinic.

Children waiting at the school bus stop by Dr. William Ball's former office
will have to contend with the increased traffic flow.

Property values will plummet. Perhaps the county will scarf it up at bargain
rates and rezone it for a penal colony. They'll be needing it soon enough.

It's quite easy for the editorial staff to sing the praises of a methadone
clinic when they don't have to live next door to one and their children don't
have to wait at the bus stop conveniently located there.

Jeffrey Carr

Roanoke