FIND NEW SITE FOR REHAB CENTER

I am one of the group that hopes to prevent the Salvation Army from
opening a rehabilitation center for chemically dependent persons at
U.S. 301 and Tallevast Road. I have several reasons for my stand, none
of which reflect badly on the "Sallies."

Seven years in the U.S. Army and 40 years as a law enforcement officer
gave me many opportunities to observe them in action, and they are the
greatest at fires, floods and disasters. But in my opinion opening
such a facility less than a mile from a school, in an area peopled by
families with children with more development imminent, is
irresponsible on their part.

By their own admission the Salvation Army staff cannot stop anyone
wishing to leave the facility at any time of the day or night. All
they can do is expel them from the program. As a cop who served in
several jurisdictions, I have seen what addiction to alcohol or drugs
can do to a person. I have seen them steal from their own families,
fight, maim, beg, prostitute themselves and sink to the lowest forms
of degeneracy when under the influence. When the need for a drink or
fix becomes unbearable they will do anything to get one. Also,
contraband is smuggled into the highest security prisons in the
country. Do you think it could be kept out of a low-level rehab center?

The Army has consistently told us what an asset the facility would be,
but no one has explained how. In addition to the rehab center, they
also plan a thrift store, which can only add traffic to an
already-overused 301. Finally, they intend to purchase 37 acres,
develop 10 and have yet to explain what the other 27 are for. Perhaps
a bigger, better rehab center. Let the "Sallies" take the $15 million
earmarked for this project and use it elsewhere. Tallevast doesn't
want it.

WAYNE C. MCCAMMON
Tallevast