Almost a month ago, we removed the chess table from Turbo Island, at the request of the Police and the Artists in Jamaica Street Studios. There has since been no noticeable diminution in street drinking in the Croft. The drinkers have simply moved. They have reverted to their former, less visible haunts. (See images below). The need for a “Wet Centre” where alcoholics can drink safely, legally and with the possibility of help, remains pressing.
Wet centre? they need homes, jobs and self respect. hiding it away under guise of ‘control’ and ‘saftey’ solves nothing.
Fair enough, but we need to start somewhere… Currently , there is no provision for alcoholism, nowhere to drink except out on the street, and no access to help for alcoholics. Somewhere that street people can drink legally would be a start…
A recognition of the situation…