NO WARM WELCOME FOR DRUG REHABILITATION CENTRE

CAMBRIDGE - Neighbourhood distrust and hostility greeted proponents
of a proposed drug rehabilitation centre across the street from Galt
Collegiate Institute.

Officials from Hatts Off, a 25-year-old company proposing the
residential treatment program, tried to soothe community concerns
Wednesday night at a community meeting. It won't be a drop in centre
where drugs are dispensed. Only "highly motivated" men ready to face
their problems will be accepted for months of in-house treatment.

The assurances didn't sway most of the 60 people gathered in the
Manchester Public School gymnasium.

Resident after resident expressed fears about addicts wandering the
neighbourhood, endangering children or the clinic hurting property
values of surrounding homes. Some said there's already trouble in the
neighbourhood from existing groups homes for young people and a crack
house on Water Street.

"You're not listening to us," said Janet Woodworth.

"You're jumping all around the issues. Everything is completely brushed off."

The big stone house overlooking Water Street already has city zoning
for a medical clinic, offices or a group home. Hatts Off is applying
for a specific extra use on the site, for a 10-bed private hospital
to treat drug addicts. They would live there for several months while
undergoing treatment.

Residents of Caverhill Manor program will be carefully screened and
only allowed to stay if they stay drug free and ready to face their
problems, said Gordon Naylor, executive director.

The program costs $10,000 a month, by referral only, so it won't be a
drop in program or a drug dispensing methadone clinic. It's
important to integrate recovering addicts into a community, so they
don't feel their fighting their battles alone, the meeting was told.

A couple of voices supported the value of the drug treatment
facility, but negative comments were the norm. Many people threw
questions one after another from the floor, despite efforts of Hatts
Off officials to maintain order.

"I don't know where you're going to find people in this community who
can afford this," said Sharon Fox. "I don't know why we should be
taking the problems from other communities."

Repeatedly, people asked for guarantees that the high-end treatment
centre wouldn turn into a drop-in crisis centre when there aren't
enough people able to pay $10,00 a month. Naylor said there are long
waiting lists for this kind of treatment, so there are no plans to
change the business model.

Several people wondered why a drug treatment facility should be
located across the street from a high school.

Earlier in the day, school principal Jane Currie expressed concern
about the proposal.

"From my point of view, I've certainly got some concerns about safety
for students with this proposal in the neighbourhood."

Another drop-in question-and-answer session is planned for Nov. 9 at
the proposed Caverhill Manor, 20 Haddington St.

The issue goes to a meeting of city councillors Nov. 30, to hear
public comment. A city staff recommendation to council regarding the
rezoning application would come to a city council vote early in the new year.