IT MAKES sense to try to help those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction rebuild their lives. Much better if they can become contributing members of society again, rather than simply being condemned or shunned.

So we welcome the fact that charity Changing Lives wants to open a drop-in centre in York for recovering drug and alcohol addicts.

The centre would help those who have already made real efforts to help themselves - and so who are already on the road to recovery - by supporting them in their efforts to get back into work or education.

That’s a praiseworthy aim.

The only question lies over the charity’s choice of location. It wants to convert the Melbourne pub in Cemetery Road. There is a neat irony about that.

But some local people are concerned - pointing out that there are primary schools nearby, and families with young children.

Those concerns must, of course, be taken into account. Ultimately, it will be for city planners to decide whether this is the right place for what is otherwise a very good proposal.