Children walking to Murdock Elementary, Sunnyside Intermediate, and Lafayette Christian Schools will be exposed to if not greeted by active heroin and amphetamine users and/or the needles and other dangerous leavings that these addicts discard to avoid arrest. Why? Because the new needle exchange is being relocated to a former pediatric doctor's office less than 1000 feet away, within a location that is supposedly otherwise referred to as a "drug-free zone". In indiana, "drug-free zones" extend at least 1000 feet around schools, bus stops, public housing developments, drug rehabilitation services, and certain parks, etcetera. This new needle exchange site violates ALL of the aforementioned protected areas at the same time.

If not prevented, a private business (for whom a spokesperson was quoted as saying that the danger presented to children is "irrelevant") will be permitted to set up shop and invite these addicts and the criminal activities associated with addiction into the immediate area that many underprivileged children (many of whom are without any other alternative) must walk through (and quite literally right next to the building) to get from home to school and back again. There was at one time a crossing guard at this intersection, but no longer. Police are powerless to help, as they are PROHIBITED from detaining anyone on their way to or coming from the needle exchange.

We as a community have less than two weeks to come together and publicly voice our concerns, which may be too late. This petition may serve as one way for us to make our rejection of this horrible mishandling of the community's trust known to our officials. Time is short. Please consider the needs of the children (as young as FIVE years old) who will be walking unattended through this area 10 times a week. We want help for those who need it, but not at the expense of our children's safety.