LOCALS ANGRY OVER 'SURPRISE' RECOVERY HOUSE

Brackendale Addictions Facility Creates Fear

A handful of Brackendale residents were shocked to discover on Friday
(March 3) that a new addictions recovery support house is opening on
Depot Road at the Hwy 99 intersection.

The residents are saying the former bed and breakfast is being turned
into a "drug rehab centre" and are afraid of the impact such a
facility will have on the neighbourhood.

"This proposal has serious negative impacts," stated a flyer
circulated by Brackendale resident Dawne St. Cyr. "Like decreasing
property values, safety of our children in our area, security for our
property and possessions."

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is funding the Sea to Sky Community
Services-run six-bedroom support recovery house, and representatives
are holding a presentation at Municipal Hall on "the plans for
expanding mental health and addiction services" on Thursday (March 9)
from 7 to 8 p.m.

Although the presentation was advertised, residents were unaware as
to just what the meeting actually entailed, according to the new
facility's neighbour, Mike Tate.

Tate and four other immediate neighbours found out about the facility
when an STS Community Services worker went door-to-door inviting
neighbours to a 'meet and greet' on Monday (March 6) to make sure
residents knew about Thursday's meeting. The worker merely raised
concerns, however, when he refused to tell the neighbours what the
meet and greet was about. The intention for the house was finally
discovered, launching fears about a new "drug rehab centre," which
quickly spread throughout the community.

"People are concerned," said Tate. "They don't want the wrong sort of
facility just slid in under the door and they don't like the sort of
sneaky underhanded way they tried to do it. So that's made everybody
really nervous."

A large sign that read "future drug rehab centre meeting here Monday
7 p.m." was placed on the Depot Road property and more than 100
Brackendale residents walked to the house, but the only organization
to show up was the RCMP who was asked by the municipality to attend
in case conflicts arose when the meet and greet was cancelled.

"They put out invitations to the five of us, they never came back to
say they wouldn't be showing up," said Tate. "So that was another
concern that they dealt with it that way."

VCH has been looking at the Depot Rd. location for approximately one
month. The new facility was not made public in the typical way --
through a rezoning hearing -- since it sits on a property that is
already appropriately zoned. The lack of such a hearing is causing
concerns among residents that the facility is a "done deal" leaving
them with no say. There's also no need for a business licence,
because STS Community Services is a non-profit organization.

However, residents are willing to go to the meeting with an open
mind, said Tate. VCH mental health and addictions services manager
for the Sea to Sky, Claudia Frowein, said that although the VCH is
"very committed to having this initiative go forward," concerned
residents may be invited to join an advisory committee dedicated
specifically to the support recovery house. Frowein assured residents
that the facility will house individuals who have gone through
intense treatment and are ready to return to their community. There
will be staff on site 24/7 and there will be zero tolerance for
alcohol or drugs.

"People make this assumption it's these crystal meth users they've
been hearing about who are going to be accessing that resource," said
Frowein. "Well the fact of the matter is, that's not who it is. It's
primarily alcohol abuse that we see in this corridor. The whole idea
is that we're trying to bring in much-needed health care services
closer to home that people don't have to leave the community to
access services. We're making sure that they have what they need in
their own community."

Various support organizations in the community have been lobbying for
such a facility, and VCH has been openly discussing expanding mental
health and addictions services in Squamish for more than a year, said
Mayor Ian Sutherland.