OTHER SITES FOR HALFWAY HOUSE

The Gibson Center's effort to set up a halfway house for people with alcohol or drug addictions upon their release from prison apparently has failed because of the lack of a site.

Plans initially were to operate the halfway house at the Gibson Center, 1112 Linden, but a special-use permit was rejected by the city in the wake of opposition because of nearby apartments and the Parkview School for handicapped children. Then the center found a commercial building to lease at Sprigg and Independence streets, but its owners withdrew a request for a special-use permit because of uncertainties on the cost of renovating it. Now, the center's operator says it is too late to find another building because of the state's June 30 deadline.

If that is the case, it is too bad the center couldn't find a home, because it does a good job in helping alcoholics and drug addicts stay sober, which it would have done with the parolees who had addiction problems prior to going to prison.

Even if the home doesn't materialize, it shows places can be found for such operations in Cape Girardeau, and the Gibson Center could have found one, given enough time.