Pubdate: Sat, 13 Mar 2004 Source: Roanoke Times (VA) Copyright: 2004 Roanoke Times Contact: http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368 Author: Joanna Blankenship ARTIS APPARENTLY DOESN'T KNOW SALEM Obviously, Jeff Artis (March 7 commentary, "Put methadone clinic at the VA Medical Center") hasn't been to Salem or the Veterans Affairs Medical Center lately, or ever. He says by putting it there, it would be away from our children and residential areas. Hello! There are two schools less than a block away - East Salem Elementary and the Arnold R. Burton Technology Center, which gets kids both bused and dropped off all day long. They may not be high school kids, but they are still the age Artis says aren't noticed by police. Then, right across the street we have neighborhoods full of children, a new park in the works straight down Hemlock, and a day care at the church up the street. I'm not saying that I know the solution as to where the methadone clinic should be, nor am I going to offer one out of the blue. But I do suggest that before Artis suggests another one, he research the area a little bit better before he offers it up. Joanna Blankenship Salem - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin