Pubdate: Fri, 02 Nov 2001
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Tracy Holmes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

NIMBYS TURN OUT IN FORCE

NIMBYism showed up in force at South Meredian Elementary School's 
gymnasium Monday.

It was the resounding theme of a public meeting to answer concerns 
about a drug and alcohol recovery house proposed for the South Surrey 
neighbourhood. Throughout the evening, Dave Houston and Ed Warnke, 
owner and manager of The Launching Pad, were questioned and 
blasted-and, at times, supported-on plans to 17 addicts at a facility 
located at 984 160 St.

After hearing from Houston, Warnke, and a number of people who either 
have lived or are now living there, a number of residents among 300 
in attendance voiced sometimes heated opposition.

Concerns ranged from a lack of trust borne of The Launching Pad 
operating at above allowable levels before receiving rezoning 
approval, to property values, and neighbourhood safety.

The facility is already home to at least a dozen recovering 
residents. "Most people feel the people who are coming here are 
problems from some place else that we're going to have to deal with," 
said George Heath, questioning why Houston and Warnke are shifting 
the facility from its former site in Aldergrove.

"(We're) not opposed to the work you're doing. What the issue is, is 
where you're going to do it."

George Pasek presented a petition against the proposal bearing 443 signatures.

"You seem to be completely out of touch with the wishes of your 
neighbours," he told Houston and Warnke.

The Launching Pad is touted offering those who come out of a detox 
program a safe place to live while they learn to fit back into 
society. Houston and Warnke, both recovering alcoholics, moved the 
program from Aldergrove to the larger 160 Street facility in June.

They want the property rezoned from special care housing to 
comprehensive development in order to legally house up to 17 people 
in the program. Residents are screened through referrals, and none 
are using alcohol or drugs, they said.

In addition to ensuring residents attend daily Alcoholics Anonymous 
meetings, the pair help them with job-seeking and other life skills. 
Many residents volunteer in the community.

Houston and Warnke didn't have statistics on recovery or relapse 
rates through their program, as they don't track residents after they 
move on. Some keep in touch, some return for help, and others are 
never heard from again, they said.

They did say the Peninsula is home to a large population of 
recovering alcoholics. Forty-five regular AA meetings take place 
within a two-mile radius of The Launching Pad, Houston said, with as 
many as 150 people attending each.

The Launching Pad's location, former home of Twin Cedars Care 
Facility, is "superb for what we want," Houston said.

"We're a good neighbour."

Sue Hodson, a shop steward at Peace Arch Hospital who lives three 
blocks from the house, "fully supports" the project.

She voiced concern at the attitude of those opposed, saying she was 
confused by those suggesting places like Whalley and Aldergrove are 
more appropriate. "I'm really concerned about the attitude that White 
Rock people don't deserve a Launching Pad whereas other communities 
do deserve a Launching Pad," she said.

"The reality is (alcoholics and addicts, recovering and not) have 
always been in your backyard to some degree, and not always do people 
know that. "I fully support this. I also consider it a privilege to 
have that in my community."

PAH social worker Marion LeBlanc agreed, saying people suffering in 
this community should have a place to recover close to home.

"I'm quite offended that it's 'not-in-my-backyard,'" she said.

Tom Russell, a Kent Street resident and former principal of Peace 
Arch Elementary, disagreed. The potential for what could happen if a 
Launching Pad resident fell off the wagon and endangered local 
children is not worth it, he said.

"Nobody here is criticizing the work these people do," he said.

"We came for the risk this is placing on this society. I know these 
people work hard, but I wouldn't sacrifice one child for a mistake. 
"You're just asking too much of us."

The proposal is still in preliminary stages. It still has to go to a 
public hearing and Surrey council before a decision is made.

Surrey planning department's Nicholas Lai said earlier any rezoning 
bylaw would likely be "drawn very tightly...in terms of what it can 
be used for and how many people are allowed."
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