04-23-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 23 1973 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Clinic would be only partial and approximately $129,000 would be brought into the community through federal funds. He briefly explained about the drug, heroin. He concluded by indicating that this program was long overdue in the community and he was happy that the Services would finally be able to give the community the response that was definitely needed. Dr. Helen Calvin, 103 Eddy South, asked what the percentage would be of the people on the Methadon treatment that would be cured, and Dr. Wilett indicated that it was estimated that 83% have been successfully treated according to results in New York. Dr. Calvin asked about Lexington, and Dr. Wilett indicated that it was now a research center; however, prior to 1964, they were estimating that six out of every one hundred were being helped. Dr. Calvin asked about the number of addicts in the community and the number to be cured through treatment. Dr. Wilett indicated that the Methadon program would be for 100 to 125 persons and there would be another program being separate funded. Dr. Calvin felt that alcoholism was also very important, and she indicated that it was unfortunate that more emphasis was not placed on that. She asked how long the addicts would be treated at the center, and Dr. Wilett indicated that it could go to 24 months. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that a review of the program had been given her and she had discussed, along with other members of the association, the matter with representatives of the Drug Abuse Services. She asked about the total cost of the pro- ject, and Dr. Kromkowski indicated that $20,000 would be needed for the startup cost for the Methadon and that would be all because once it was started, it would be funded through the state. Miss Guthrie asked how soon this part of the program would guarantee a reduction in crime in the community and she wondered when the property owners and taxpayers would have to assume the cost of the program when the revenue sharing funds were no longer available. Reverend McGill indicated that the treatment center forms the triangle at a considerable savings to the taxpayer instead of sending these people to prison. Chairman Newburn felt there would be different segments that would decrease the crime. Miss Guthrie indicated that the Safety Director previously had promised there would be a decrease in the crime rate. Dr. Kromkowski indicated that he did not want to transpose the experiences of other communities as far as the reduction of crime was concerned with this community. He felt that the program would definitely have an impact on the safety pro- gram of the community. Miss Guthrie indicated that she felt this was very important as it would be just opening the door to very heavy future expenditures. Again, Chairman Newburn indicated that this would only be one portion in trying to reduce crime in the community. Miss Guthrie felt the program should be watched very closely because it might come back to the taxpayers. Mrs. Frederick Mutzl, President of the St. Joseph County Fair Tax Association, asked if the drug addict to be treated at the center would be questioned on where they had gotten the drugs in order that the selling of the drugs might be prevented in the first place. Chairman Newburn indicated that inquiries are made on where the drugs come from. Mr. Willie Green, Hansel Neighborhood Center, indicated that he was concerned that this request was not for more money. He indicated that this problem was particularly strong in the West side of the city and he mentioned that some research was done and it was identified that 89 people were involved/in hard drugs. He cited statistics over a 10 -year period of burglaries going up to 242 %, robberies up to 1,100 %, with 9% of the crimes being cleared up in 1972. In the Model Cities area, 427 burglaries were because of persons on hard drugs. He briefly talked about the number of blacks involved in the drug situation and indicated that he would like to see another $110,000 go into the program. He also wanted consid- eration given to some sort of mechanism whereby the center would make sure that those persons more in need of drug programs would be treated. He felt some guarantee was needed. A former drug user, Kathy, spoke on the problem of drugs. She mentioned that she had been on drugs and had become known as a "junkie ". She had found help in the Drug Abuse Center and had been going to the center for the last six months. She indicated that she had been one of the fortunate ones who had been able to receive help and she mentioned that there was a limited facility now to give that help but that the citizens' help was also needed. Dr. Harris, Director of the Mental Health Center, indicated that the center, working with other interested groups in the community, had initiated a study committee which defined the local problem and determined the needs for the community. From that effort came the decision that the Center was the logical one primarily because of the federal funds to be received. He indicated that already started has been a day treatment program comprised of persons who have been referred to the court. He asked support of the other two legs of the stool. Mr. Gene Williams indicated that he worked in the Drug Abuse Center. He indicated that the community was paying for the drug addicts whether it chose to or not. He mentioned that it was paid for in higher taxes, higher prices because of the goods stolen from the drug users, on the welfare rolls, etc. He felt the least expensive way to take care of this problem was in drug abuse programs. Mr. Dale King, Administrator of the Northern:Indiana Drug Abuse Services, quoted a portion of a letter written by Judge George N. Beamer, Jr., in support of the Methadon Maintenance Clinic and a residential treatment center for the community. Councilman Serge indicated that the city has tried to keep an eye on those persons involved with drugs; however, the names of those persons could not be revealed because there would be injury to the persons revealing the names. He mentioned that the drug problem deals with a secret and dangerous organization, and it is a horrible one. As chairman of the Council Committee on Human Resources and Economic Development, Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Parent. Councilman Parent also indicated that many reasons were given in support of the program; however, he felt one of the main reasons was that it was th most human thing to do. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $42,750.00 FROM THE LOCAL'_ROAD AND STREET FUND AND $14,250.00 FROM THE CUMULATIVE SEWER BUILDING AND SINKING FUND FOR PROJECT R & S 58 - NORTH SIDE BOULEVARD FROM FRANCES STREET TO WAYNE STREET. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. William J. Richardson, Director of the Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that this would be a completion of North Side Boulevard and that last summer, the Grand Trunk Railroad took down the viaduct at St. Louis Boulevard which left a very sharp curve in North Side Boulevard. He indicated that new pavement would be laid in order to take the sharpness out of the curve and storm sewers would be installed in order to correct the drainage problem. Councilman Miller aske what would be used as protection against going into the river, and Mr. Richardson indicated that there.would be a very large shelf area and he could see no safety problem at this time.