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?
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager