Pubdate: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 Source: Cambridge Times (CN ON) Copyright: 2009 Fairway Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.cambridgetimes.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3423 Author: Lindsay Barnes REHAB CENTRES NECESSARY I have lived in Cambridge for the past 19 years. It breaks my heart every time I run into an old friend and find out that they are or were addicted to a very powerful drug. Some of them have gotten help and are doing great, but they had to leave our city to do that and wait on a waiting list for months. I personally think it is awesome that we are considering opening a drug rehab centre. I would like to hear whose neighborhood they would like for this to open in. It doesn't matter if you live in a low income neighborhood or high income neighborhood, we all have children that we want to keep safe. I honestly wouldn't have a problem with this facility opening in my neighborhood. These people aren't murderers or sex offenders, they have just fallen off the wagon and need some direction. Most rehab clinics have a requirement of being clean for 30 days before admittance. These people want help and are willing to do the first 30 days by themselves, which I can't even imagine how hard that is. Now I realize this clinic is for professionals and costs $10,000 per stay, but I hope this will open the door so we, as a city, can help the people who can't afford that kind of money and who need this help. I watch people walk downtown and turn their nose up at somebody who has an obvious drug or alcohol problem, but nobody wants to find any solutions to this problem. I hate to break it to you Cambridge, but we have a serious drug and alcohol problem. Lindsay Barnes Cambridge - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake