It seems the NIMBYs around Haldi Road got the wind knocked out of their fight yesterday as proponents blew away the main concern over the women's recovery centre by announcing they'd truck in their own darn water.
It seems certain Not In My Back Yard neighbours feel the 30-bed facility would tap out the aquifer in a way the 100-student school that was previously on the property never could.
Testing the wells couldn't convince them the process was "above board" - and they're calling for the community to reject the city councillors who support the project at the upcoming municipal polls.
Those councillors in support of this initiative are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief as the criticism that had the most legs just got swept off the table.
But somehow we doubt this will appease the most fervent detractors, and that'll serve to prove that the water issue was really just a red herring. (Just watch, next they'll be saying the proponents aren't going to truck water in at all, but will be secretly plugging into their supply.)
The fact - albeit strange for this day and age - is recovery centre opponents are afraid.
No, it doesn't matter that studies indicate recovery centres of this sort in fact enhances its surroundings by providing a way out for many residents who would otherwise be committing crimes out of desperation.
No, it doesn't matter that such programs reunite families and creates community-minded individuals who go on to provide a way out for others suffering in their previous predicament.
It doesn't matter the facility will create ripples in a pond of healing - some neighbours just won't have it. There's even talk of legal recourse and picketing, and there have been nasty (untrue) rumours spread in an attempt to discredit those associated with the project.
And tragically, this angry opposition is alienating the very people wishing they could turn their lives around. Who in their right mind would move into a neighbourhood full of people who hate them?
But that's not the most maddening part.
What's most infuriating is that people are nowhere near putting as much energy into fighting crack shacks and drug addiction as they're putting into fighting recovery centres.
Crack shacks abound in this city yet we never see a single soul picketing outside these buildings or threatening the city and landlords with lawsuits. And the few calls to reject politicians who vote against drug prevention initiatives are ineffective.
The sad irony is if people got half as mad about the spreading of drugs as they get about the building of rehab centres, there would be far fewer of those centres.
So if you really hate the idea of a rehab centre in your backyard, instead of blocking the solution, try being part of it.
-- Prince George Citizen
