WHAT DO REHAB HOUSE NIMBYS OPPOSE?

Editor,

What exactly are Brackendale citizens opposing in regards to the
recovery support house intended for a former Brackendale bed and
breakfast on Depot Road at Hwy 99?

This will be a well-maintained, drug and alcohol free home full of
positive upbeat people on their way to a shining new life. The
residents of the house are willingly undergoing therapy and enormous
self-work in order to become better partners, responsible parents and
healthy members of the community.

The fabric of their futures is being rewoven in the secure and
supportive environment of their recovery support house. They will
always remember the caring and assistance they received when they
most needed it. They will walk away with the tools needed for
continued self-improvement throughout their life. And many of these
supported recoverees will go on to work as volunteers in the
community, on the street, in the food banks, and elsewhere.

I know.

My oldest daughter was a heroin addict in Vancouver. She tried
everything to get healthy. Everything. Finally she was 'clean' long
enough to enter a support recovery home and it saved her life. She is
now 10 years clean and healthy, attending college with a B+ average,
happily involved in a 7-year loving relationship and engaged to be
married - in short, she is a model citizen - and loving daughter.

I ask you to think about this wonderful, responsible, bright young
woman as you nurse your hangover Saturday morning and screech at your
family for making too much noise, as you finish your joint and lie to
the kids about the smell, as you stack your 3 dozen beer bottles
alongside your garage and decide to leave the yard work another week.

My daughter is alive, happy, healthy - everything we can hope for in
our children. I am so proud of her! Come on, Brackendale. Time to
re-examine what community really means. I hear so many complaints
about the meth problem in our city. I was amazed and thrilled to
learn of the support recovery house planned for Brackendale, and the
location - away from downtown - seems perfect.

This is what back-up is all about, people. And support. And love.

Bravo to the Vancouver Coastal Health, Sea to Sky Community Services,
and Community Advisory Committee.

Brackendale Owner/ Resident (name withheld by request)