Audio Take a tour of 'Alcoholic Central' (story audio) Photos Paul Ojanen Liquor store Skinner Apartments View full slideshow (6 images) More from MPR Why Paul Ojanen told you his story (04/21/2004) Producing 'Alcoholic Central' (04/21/2004) Respond to this story Talk about this story in the MPR News Forum Submit a commentary Help us cover this story

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Take a tour of 'Alcoholic Central'
by Chris Julin, Minnesota Public Radio
April 21, 2004

Paul Ojanen on First St. in downtown Duluth, which he calls Alcoholic Central. (MPR Photo/Chris Julin)

Duluth, Minn. — We used to call them bums. You pass them on your way to work. They're leaning against a building in ragged clothes. They're drunk. In every city, there's a neighborhood where the street alcoholics hang out. Most of us catch only brief glimpses of them from the car, or the bus. Sometimes we think about them for a minute. "Why does that guy do that to himself?" Or maybe, "Where does a woman like that live?" But you can't just walk up and start asking questions. You need a guide. Someone like Paul Ojanen. He's going to take us on a tour of First St. in downtown Duluth. He calls it Alcoholic Central.

Listen to his story, and read his column about why he chose to take you on a tour of First Street.

This story was produced by Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin. Read his account of how the story was produced.

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