Pubdate: Sat, 14 May 2005
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Phil Melnychuk
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

RESIDENTS DON'T WANT DRUG REHAB BY BALSAM

Most people in the crowded, noisy room Thursday agreed - the work that 
Innervisions Recovery Society does is wholesome and righteous, and a 
treatment centre to help female drug addicts is sorely needed.

But not in their back yard.

And it won't be. After the information meeting with about 50 residents, 
Innervisions founder Billy Weselowski says he is abandoning his plans to 
put a two-storey, 30-bed treatment centre at 13202 Balsam St., near the new 
Balsam Creek subdivision.

"Not only do I not want the hassle, I don't want you to have the hassle 
either," he said.

Innervisions currently has an offer to purchase the property and has a 
$100,000 deposit on the deal, which is supposed to close in July.

One condition in the offer is the removal of a covenant on the property 
allowing a daycare to be operated on the institutionally-zoned property.

But given the opposition, and adding that he's not "married" to that piece 
of property, Weselowski said he'd contact his lawyer to see if the society 
can back out of the deal.

Innervisions Recovery was founded 14 years ago and follows a 12-step 
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous program. After an intensive 
60-day treatment, clients are referred to their after-care homes.

While in treatment, the women receive no visitors and are not allowed 
vehicles. Clients are also screened; former inmates are not allowed.

It boasts in its literature a success rate of 95 per cent.

Innervisions already operates a women's treatment centre in Maple Ridge, a 
14-bed home called Hannah House.

But residents were concerned with the physical location of the project. The 
building would have been in a secluded spot on a treed lot.

School children would have to walk by the property on their way to Yennadon 
elementary, said parent advisory council chair Leannie Pacey.

"Nobody can guarantee that everything's going to be fine," she said.

"I think there is a great need. I personally feel that a place like this - 
needs to be more out in the open."

It would have been a different story had the covenant not been on the 
property, Weselowski conceded.

But Weselowski has taken his cue and said he would look at other sites in 
Maple Ridge.

"One of the things is we want to be embraced by a community."

This isn't the case, he said.

Resident Sandra Rayson said neighbours should work with Maple Ridge 
district hall to help find a suitable location for a treatment centre.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman