DRUG HOME POLICY PANNED

A review of unlicenced drug and alcohol recovery homes now underway is
more evidence the province botched their deregulation in 2002, the NDP
charge.

Health critic Adrian Dix said the move to eliminate red tape has led
to many addicts being treated in "terrible" conditions.

"The declining state of British Columbia's alcohol and drug recovery
system is a damning indictment of the B.C. Liberal record," he said.

The policy review, which may lead to tightened regulations on opening
and running recovery homes, is expected to be complete by December.

Poor conditions have led some municipalities to crack down on homes
using zoning bylaws.

"Part of the answer is to bring back the safeguards and controls for
patients that Mr. Campbell eliminated four years ago," Dix said.