Our Views

Alaska has a serious drug problem: one of the highest per capita drug abuse populations in the U.S. It’s also in the number seven spot for violent crime, much of which is largely attributed to the drug problem. Unfortunately, this week’s closure of the Salvation Army’s Clitheroe Center in Anchorage will leave thousands without access to alcohol and drug detox, and will expose Anchorage residents to even more alcoholism, drug abuse, drug addiction and crime.

The Center had problems for years: inadequate funding drove their beds from 20 to eight, and the shortage of nurses made it almost impossible to find staff – especially when the Center couldn’t afford to hire them.

The Anchorage community is worried: Without drug detox facilities, alcoholics and drug addicts will be absorbed into and supported by the community – worsening an already disastrous situation.

The Salvation Army is working with City officials to see if reopening Clitheroe is a future possibility but who knows how long that will take? Let’s hope the drug problem is somehow contained until Clitheroe or another drug detox facility can get back in operation.

Communities often resent having drug detox and rehab facilities in their immediate area – they think it creates an unsafe and unsavory environment. But a good drug detox center can turn these guys around and send them back into the community as a productive member of society. Isn’t it better than having them in the streets?

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