Pubdate: Tue, 22 Nov 2005
Source: Ubyssey (CN BC Edu)
Contact:  http://www.ubyssey.bc.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/706
Author: Erica Barrett, News writer

REHAB CENTRE CAUSES CONTROVERSY

Many local residents are alarmed by the city's proposed plan to set 
up a rehabilitation centre in the Dunbar area.

The residents in that area are rallying together to prevent a drug 
and alcohol rehabilitation center from opening on the site. They are 
concerned that the new centre will put them at a higher risk for 
theft and will put their children in danger.

The city purchased the site for over $3.5 million. This site consists 
of a 35,000 square-foot lot located at the southeast corner of Dunbar 
and West 16th Avenue. Currently, only small businesses are located on the site.

Residents say that their concerns were heightened when they were told 
that the patients of the rehab facility would only be required to be 
sober for sixty days prior to admittance. ("One of my concerns is if 
it's a rehab center, there's a liquor store half a block away. To me 
that doesn't make sense," said Barbra Gumbel, a Dunbar resident.

CBC News reported that over 300 Dunbar residents attended a meeting 
with civic election candidates two weeks ago. The question on 
everyone's mind: do the candidates support a rehab center being set 
up in their community?

Sam Sullivan, the new mayor-elect of Vancouver stated that no 
decision had been made about the land. He did not want to speculate 
on what he believes to be rumours.

According to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, only one mental 
health treatment facility is currently located in Kitsilano. Another 
facility is located in the City Hall/Marpole Area.

Rob Whitlock, the city's senior social housing planner, believes the 
concerns of the residents are premature. "No decision has been made 
as to the nature of the social housing on the site," he said.

Whitlock noted that a rehab centre would not put the community at 
risk and that safety is still the city's priority. "Past experience 
with such projects is that these projects do not represent a danger 
to children or schools or families in the neighborhood."

Whitlock also pointed out that these same concerns were expressed and 
dealt with when the city proposed to open a treatment facility in the 
Riley Park area.

Despite objections from residents, the city opened a Triage facility 
to treat drug addictions and alcoholism at the corner of West 39th 
Avenue and Fraser Street, last year.

Patrick Zoden, program director of the Orchard Recovery Centre, 
agrees with Whitlock's stance. "My experience is, and I have worked 
in support recovery for many years, is that there is very, very 
little negative consequences to the neighbourhood," said Zoden. 
"Generally, [support centers] compliment the neighbourhood."

To address resident concerns, the city issued a letter informing 
residents that the use for the site is still up for debate. The 
letter emphasised that it is a strong possibility that the site could 
still be used as seniors housing and that residents should not be 
concerned. However, many residents feel that the letter ignored the 
more prominent issue of whether residents will be safe from drug addicts.

Whitlock states that the city is currently doing a study with the 
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. "We're working with them to look 
at supportive housing needs city-wide. They are working with us in 
the preparation of that plan, which will be presented to council next year."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman