DF Sarajevo: The problem of Bolnička Street, where the Methadone Centre was relocated, must be urgently resolved

(Patria) - The situation in Bolnička Street in Sarajevo is becoming a serious security problem after the Government of Sarajevo Canton relocated the Public Institution Institute for Addiction Diseases of Sarajevo Canton (Methadone Centre) to that street, in close proximity to a school and kindergarten, it was announced today by the Sarajevo Canton Committee of DF.

The Democratic Front Sarajevo calls on the Government of Sarajevo Canton and the Ministry of Health to urgently address the security problem caused by the users of the Institute. The reaction of the Government and the competent ministry must happen without delay, especially considering that the school year begins on September 1st, when children will be directly endangered by this security problem.

"We are receiving information that several attacks on citizens and their homes by users of the Institute have been recorded, and even footage of them sleeping in the streets. I contacted all representatives of the clubs in the Centar Sarajevo Municipal Council today with a request to hold an urgent Council session to which we will invite representatives of the competent authorities, as well as the mentioned Institute. The session should be held as soon as possible in order to adopt concrete conclusions.

Although the Municipality does not have jurisdiction over the Institute, the Municipal Council is the representative of the citizens, and we must stand by their interests. The Council, regardless of jurisdiction, must represent the citizens, even in the face of reckless decisions by the Government of Sarajevo Canton, which have directly endangered the security of the citizens of the Centar Municipality," said Adnan Lukač, a councilor in the Centar Sarajevo Municipal Council.

The Democratic Front also demands an urgent reaction from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton and a constant, 24-hour police presence in the mentioned street until the problem is resolved. Relocating the Institute from one densely populated local community to another is not a solution, but merely replacing one problem with another.