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.