“Not in my backyard.” That phrase has been used for decades by people wanting to keep so-called undesirables out of their neighborhoods. As times change, so too do the objects of distaste – African Americans, foreigners, those in the LGBT community, etc. One perhaps unexpected target is addiction treatment facilities. People speak about them as though they were supermax prisons, proclaiming the dangers to children and even the effects on neighborhood property values.
We know that inpatient treatment and community support are two of the most important factors in recovery, so why would the community turn away those seeking help? Unfortunately, despite the growing acceptance of addiction as a disease, treatment hasn’t attained the same status as a right the way other forms of healthcare have. We wouldn’t think twice about having a small clinic open in our towns – would welcome it, in fact – but the negative stereotypes surrounding addiction tend to foster fear. Much of it is simply bias, as people refuse to reject the view that addicts are as poor, unclean, dangerous (or minorities, for those also clinging to that bit of prejudice.)
One way community leaders try to discourage treatment centers from moving in is by enacting zoning ordinances. This practice is actually against the law, although not policed as often as perhaps it should be. The Fair Housing Amendments Act prohibits segregation and unequal treatment. In City of Edmonds v. Oxford House, Inc., a group home was established for people recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. The neighborhood was zoned for single-family residences, and the group home housed 10 or 12. Oxford House claimed protection under the Fair Housing Act, asserting that drug and alcohol addiction counted as a handicap. The United States Supreme Court eventually found that no limits could be set on the number of people residing in a group home unless those limits were also applied to every other residence in the community. Though interpretations of the ruling vary, it is accepted that addiction does constitute a disability, at least as far as the Fair Housing Act is concerned.
It seems like common sense that one would rather have a treatment center in his neighborhood than addicts living on the streets. Who is more likely to commit a crime, after all – someone still under the thrall of drugs, trying to acquire money by any means necessary to foster his habit, or someone actively trying to turn his life around by getting help? One study of violent crime statistics in Baltimore seems to confirm this. The researchers found that violent crime was significantly lower around drug treatment facilities compared to areas near liquor stores and corner stores and that there was no real difference between crime near treatment centers and other commercial enterprises.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Far from any frightening images of prison-like facilities, our location in Southern California means plenty of opportunities for activities out in the sunshine, and we have daily group activities, exercise, and even barbecues. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504.
