I READ with dismay that City of York Council is planning to replace the old Arc Light Centre with a new £1.5 million establishment (January 26).

It is an unfortunate fact that people who frequent these sort of places are often heavily dependent on drugs and very likely have come from other cities to take advantage of the facilities on offer here.

The council and the police are doing a good job trying to deal with the crime and anti-social behaviour these people inevitably bring with them.

It seems a shame to throw away this good work.

There is an old saying: "You have to be cruel to be kind".

By doing nothing it may spur these people to change their ways and perhaps return to their place of origin where they can begin to rebuild their lives.

The money would be better spent on providing an information point where these people can get help to overcome their addiction and return to society.

I have met many drug-users and every one was capable of doing a day's work but only the drug they were using was telling them to do the minimum amount possible to survive.

Providing these new facilities is just sending out the wrong signals and allowing them to carry on as usual.

D Meville,

Lowther Street,

York.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, February 05, 2004