Re: What to do about drug addicts

Bellingham WA

Description

When you have a segment of society that causes problems, do you mix them up with everyone else, or do you isolate them? I propose that you isolate them. I have been trying to get the city of Bellingham to convert their lightly used golf course at Lake Padden into a multi-purpose RV park. The area is in excess of 100 acres. Acreage with access to prime recreational areas. By converting the golf course into a RV park, you can create a situation where there is the potential for the property to earn money rather than cost tax dollars mowing the greens. There could be in excess of 500 parking sites that if they charged $200./month for un-serviced lots, that could add up to over a million per year. The program would work like this. Drug addicts would be given a tent and bedding in close proximity to bathroom and shower facilities. There would be a commercial laundry on site to clean bedding and clothes. Meals would be provided. There would be sheltered areas for people to congregate. There would be a REHAB facility on adjacent property operated by the County. If folks decided to enter a rehab program, they would have 6 months where they could live in a tiny-home village while in the program. They would be taught a different lifestyle that would include the various sport and leisure activities available at Lake Padden. At the end of their program, they would be given the opportunity to live in a donated RV, if they could pay the $200./month rental fee. Jobs would be available at the RV site for those without means. If they slid back into addiction, they would find themselves back in a tent. Perhaps the program might accept them next year. Currently the homeless wander around downtown and where-ever they please. Under this program they would need to be re-located to a site with proper sanitation facilities, to protect the public health. I hope you support this idea. thanks, Bill.