Frankford residents and community leaders scored a victory last week when the Wedge Recovery Center withdrew its application for a drug recovery house near Arrott Transportation Center.
State Rep. Jason Dawkins, Frankford CDC Executive Director Kimberly Washington and others gathered at a zoning board hearing Nov. 14 to oppose the proposal, which was sharply criticized at last month’s Frankford Neighborhood Advisory Council meeting.
They didn’t have to wait long. Just as Dawkins began addressing the board, it was announced that Wedge had decided to drop its plan for a 16-room group living facility at 4800 Frankford Ave.
“I think it was the right decision,” Dawkins told the Times after the announcement. “We knew it would not be a good fit, so I am pleased that they have come to a decision to withdraw their request.”
Dawkins and others were concerned about the proposed location of the recovery house. The area around Frankford Avenue and Foulkrod Street is a hotbed for drug activity, he said.
“It does not help anyone who’s trying to get on that road to recovery to be in an area that’s already saturated with drugs and violence,” Dawkins added. “It only imprisons those who still live in that community.”
Wedge CEO Jason McLaughlin did not respond to a request for comment.
Dawkins said he is looking forward to further discussions about how to address opioid use in the neighborhood.
“I understand the need,” he said. “The problem that we see in the community is that most of the folks who are coming to use in that community don’t live in that community.” ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at jtomczuk@newspapermediagroup.com
