Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Published: 26 April 2007
We do deal with addicts
• SO Nick Bilby, chief executive of ABC Pharmacy thinks that we are being harsh in our perception of drug addicts, and how proud his company is to help them (Needle swap still on cards, April 12).
We, in Camden in partnership with the Primary Care Trust, also provide many supportive services for them, such as counselling and referrals to residential rehabilitation.
We are commissioning a new service ‘Camden Dais’ which will provide one to one support, referrals for further sustained treatment and in the near future, group therapy will be available….quite a list there Nick!
However what we don’t do is protect people who make our residents lives ‘Hell on Earth’ as addicts and dealers have done for many years in Camden Town. That’s the reason people don’t like them or want them in the area.
Ask the residents in Greenland Road and Carol Street what life was like for them a couple of years ago, constant intimidation, drug induced brawls night and day, drug detritus and vomit, people using doorsteps as lavatories.
Cross the road to Camden Gardens and Barnes House and they were suffering from the same people’s behaviour. Castle Road and Clarence Way is the same story.
When you say it must be ghastly to be a drug addict, I agree, but its much worse for law abiding residents to be at the receiving end of abusers behaviour. We have a healthy history in Camden of not flinching from confrontation. You will not find us lacking now! PAT CALLAGHAN
(Lab)
Camden Town with Primrose Hill
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