Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jun 2006 Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, West Partners Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.kelownacapnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294 DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY LOCATION BLASTED BY CHAMBER PRESIDENT The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce says the decision by Kelowna city council to decide to locate a transitional housing facility downtown increases the risk of negatively affecting the downtown at a time of increased development. In a letter to the city--the chamber's fourth letter on the issue in the past three months--the chamber questions the decision to move forward with the project downtown and calls for city council to be firm in watching over the facility when it is operating. "Despite concerns the city has opted to locate the facility in the heart of the city...Kelowna's downtown," the letter reads. "Certainly establishing a supportive housing facility in the downtown is one option to address the homelessness issue, but at what cost?" The letter from the chamber is signed by president Kevin Crookes and goes on to lambaste the council for not being firm on several issues. The chamber says there should be zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol on site, there should be 24 hour security at the building once the program is up and running and calls for a bail out clause if all requirements are not met. "The supportive housing facility must cease operations if it does not have a a positive impact on the area in which it is located," states the letter. After months of debate, the partnership between the city and Interior Health Authority is moving forward to building a transitional facility to help drug addicted people kick the habit. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman