Pubdate: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Maple Ridge News Contact: http://www.mapleridgenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328 Author: Jeff Nagel REVIEW PROBES DRUG AND BOOZE TREATMENT HOMES A provincial review now under way could lead to new regulations requiring drug and alcohol recovery homes to meet minimum standards, health ministry officials say. The issue is coming to a head this month as the City of Surrey moves to shut down recovery homes that aren't properly licensed or zoned amid allegations of poor and crowded conditions. Health ministry spokesperson Sarah Plank said the province is looking at setting up a registration system similar to what's in place for assisted living facilities. "We're expecting that review to be completed around the end of the year," she said. That would tighten the policy that has been in place since 2002, when Victoria largely deregulated the sector and has since allowed many homes to operate without licensing if they don't provide a higher level of service. Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts hopes the province takes action. "I'm asking them to come to the table and help us work out a solution," she said, adding existing licensing options are onerous and very expensive - particularly for smaller homes. "It's very difficult, especially for the recovery houses that have eight to 10 people," she said. "You cannot be effective when you have 30 or 35 people in the house." Overcrowding is the main problem, she said, but noted the food is sometimes substandard, as well as other services. "There are recovery house operators that are victimizing these already vulnerable people." Watts said enforcement is based on the number of complaints to the city, adding it is "absolutely not" done on an arbitrary basis. Dozens of unlicensed recovery homes operate in Surrey, usually taking welfare money as payment. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek