The former Ronald McDonald House in York Street, Subiaco.
Camera IconThe former Ronald McDonald House in York Street, Subiaco. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Opinion: Fresh Start and Subiaco residents will need to manage the arrangement

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

THE comfort of home often extends to our suburb and street.

As residents of an area, we are protective of our streetscape and the people in it.

So when people undergoing drug rehabilitation could be moving in, panic sets in.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Families fear for their safety, the quiet streets could be disrupted and neighbours band together to protect their home, their street and their suburb.

This is what has happened in Subiaco with the Fresh Start Recovery Program purchasing the former Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in York Street.

A vox pop of friends revealed similar responses… “these people deserve a chance to rehabilitate, as long as it’s not in my suburb”.

But where should addicts go to rehabilitate?

They’re not all erratic drug addicts coming down from a high.

When I visited the program several years ago, I met a married mother from New Zealand who owned a business with her husband.

Her one glass of wine cooking dinner soon became two bottles a night, leading her to seek help with Dr George O’Neil.

There is no amicable, everyone wins solution to this local argument.

But the facts are that RMH is set up with a commercial kitchen, living quarters and security, as well as council approval for a lodging house that allows Fresh Start to move in.

It is also fact that many residents moved into the area knowing they were neighbours with a facility for sick children and their families, not people undergoing rehabilitation for addiction.

These facts suggest the two groups, Fresh Start and residents, will need to manage the arrangement because it appears to be a foregone conclusion.

MORE: Motorcyclist from Baldivis seriously injured after crashing during chase

MORE: Nic and Kolo takes out Premier’s Award at 51st Gold Plate Awards

MORE: Young WA child dies of meningococcal