Petition backs controversial addiction hub
A NEW campaign has emerged in support of divisive plans to open an addiction recovery hub at a community library in Newcastle.
Around 150 people have now signed a petition backing Newcastle City Council’s vision for Fenham Library , following a huge backlash over recent weeks that has led to angry confrontations with local authority bosses.
The council maintains that its plans, which do not include a needle exchange or prescription distribution, will not harm the community.
Jo Cundall, who founded the new 38 Degrees petition last weekend, agrees that safety fears over recovering drug and alcohol addicts using the library are “unfounded” and says she wants to “give vulnerable people in recovery a voice”.
The mother-of-two, who lives in Wingrove Road, said: “I understand the opposition, but I totally disagree with it. And the more I talked to people, the more I realised that there is actually a lot of support out there for it.
“I think the fears about it are unfounded. I think some people are lumping everyone who has suffered from drug and alcohol addiction into one block and thinking that they are all chaotic and going on a path towards crime. Actually, the people using this service will be in recovery.”
Hundreds of residents have expressed their fury in recent weeks at the council’s decision to move some of its drug and alcohol recovery services to the library, and over a lack of consultation. The 38-year-old theatre programmer said she understands why many objectors are angry with the council’s approach, but trusts that the right decision was made. She added: “I don’t believe it will make our streets unsafe in any way. I have two kids and we use the pool and the library – I do not think it will become unsafe for us.
“The kind of people who this service is for are in our community, and we have a responsibility to help them.
“I think some people are picturing heroin addicts on street corners mugging people to feed their habit - that is not who the service is for.
“There is a lot of talking out there about people believing in this service, but thinking it is the wrong location for it. But you cannot have it both ways. You either believe in the service or you don’t.”
A petition opposing the addiction recovery hub, organised by the Fenham Library Action Group (FLAG), has more than 1,800 signatories.
A FLAG spokesman said: “We have said many times, we support and see the need for these types of services in Newcastle, our opinion is that the location is incorrect, the information has been unclear and whilst we are receiving some clarifications we still have many questions and we acknowledge everyone is entitled to their opinions.
“Our aim is to secure proper and full consultation for the people of Fenham. So that we can have an influence over what service is provided to our community, so that we can all benefit from changes, and that we take control of what those changes are rather than having something embryonic and not fully developed imposed upon us.”
The council has already agreed to a “phased” introduction of the services, which are due to open in November and will include private consultations and gym classes.