Pubdate: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 Source: Roanoke Times (VA) Copyright: 2003 Roanoke Times Contact: http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368 Author: Helen E. Davis Note: Davis lives in Roanoke and is secretary of the Historic Gainsboro Preservation District Inc. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) 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? - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager