Pubdate: Fri, 10 Mar 2006
Source: Chief, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Whistler Printing & Publishing
Contact:  http://www.squamishchief.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2414
Author: Sylvie Paillard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

LOCALS ANGRY OVER 'SURPRISE' RECOVERY HOUSE

Brackendale Addictions Facility Creates Fear

A handful of Brackendale residents were shocked to discover on Friday 
(March 3) that a new addictions recovery support house is opening on 
Depot Road at the Hwy 99 intersection.

The residents are saying the former bed and breakfast is being turned 
into a "drug rehab centre" and are afraid of the impact such a 
facility will have on the neighbourhood.

"This proposal has serious negative impacts," stated a flyer 
circulated by Brackendale resident Dawne St. Cyr. "Like decreasing 
property values, safety of our children in our area, security for our 
property and possessions."

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is funding the Sea to Sky Community 
Services-run six-bedroom support recovery house, and representatives 
are holding a presentation at Municipal Hall on "the plans for 
expanding mental health and addiction services" on Thursday (March 9) 
from 7 to 8 p.m.

Although the presentation was advertised, residents were unaware as 
to just what the meeting actually entailed, according to the new 
facility's neighbour, Mike Tate.

Tate and four other immediate neighbours found out about the facility 
when an STS Community Services worker went door-to-door inviting 
neighbours to a 'meet and greet' on Monday (March 6) to make sure 
residents knew about Thursday's meeting. The worker merely raised 
concerns, however, when he refused to tell the neighbours what the 
meet and greet was about. The intention for the house was finally 
discovered, launching fears about a new "drug rehab centre," which 
quickly spread throughout the community.

"People are concerned," said Tate. "They don't want the wrong sort of 
facility just slid in under the door and they don't like the sort of 
sneaky underhanded way they tried to do it. So that's made everybody 
really nervous."

A large sign that read "future drug rehab centre meeting here Monday 
7 p.m." was placed on the Depot Road property and more than 100 
Brackendale residents walked to the house, but the only organization 
to show up was the RCMP who was asked by the municipality to attend 
in case conflicts arose when the meet and greet was cancelled.

"They put out invitations to the five of us, they never came back to 
say they wouldn't be showing up," said Tate. "So that was another 
concern that they dealt with it that way."

VCH has been looking at the Depot Rd. location for approximately one 
month. The new facility was not made public in the typical way -- 
through a rezoning hearing -- since it sits on a property that is 
already appropriately zoned. The lack of such a hearing is causing 
concerns among residents that the facility is a "done deal" leaving 
them with no say. There's also no need for a business licence, 
because STS Community Services is a non-profit organization.

However, residents are willing to go to the meeting with an open 
mind, said Tate. VCH mental health and addictions services manager 
for the Sea to Sky, Claudia Frowein, said that although the VCH is 
"very committed to having this initiative go forward," concerned 
residents may be invited to join an advisory committee dedicated 
specifically to the support recovery house. Frowein assured residents 
that the facility will house individuals who have gone through 
intense treatment and are ready to return to their community. There 
will be staff on site 24/7 and there will be zero tolerance for 
alcohol or drugs.

"People make this assumption it's these crystal meth users they've 
been hearing about who are going to be accessing that resource," said 
Frowein. "Well the fact of the matter is, that's not who it is. It's 
primarily alcohol abuse that we see in this corridor. The whole idea 
is that we're trying to bring in much-needed health care services 
closer to home that people don't have to leave the community to 
access services. We're making sure that they have what they need in 
their own community."

Various support organizations in the community have been lobbying for 
such a facility, and VCH has been openly discussing expanding mental 
health and addictions services in Squamish for more than a year, said 
Mayor Ian Sutherland.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom