There are many young people in Camden talking about McLean opening a community recovery house at Fox Hill. No one that I have talked to is against it. In fact, they are all strongly in favor of it. But every time the newspaper comes out there are letters from people who do not want McLean here, even though the zoning issue has been resolved. I have been thinking about those people and their never-ending fight against McLean. 

 You have your career or your retirement. You want young people to serve food in restaurants or mow your lawns. If we want to make something of ourselves, you expect we will move away and that is OK with you. I went to Camden Hills High School. I have had my struggles in my life and have made positive changes. Do you know what it feels like to read your letters? You do not have anything positive to offer. It’s clear that you don't care that McLean will help people recover, bring jobs into the area, or that they will provide education in the community which will do so much for this town.

Please stop your negative complaining and work to build a future where young people can live and work in Camden, where living clean and sober is encouraged, and where addiction is understood to be a treatable disease. McLean coming here is a step in the right direction.

Khidhr Odom lives in Camden