SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORTS DRUG CENTRE

Statement Comes Before Consultation With Parents

The Vancouver School Board is throwing its support behind a
controversial drug rehab centre at Fraser Street and 41st Avenue.

In a statement released on Nov. 10, the board said facilities housing
citizens with mental illness and drug addiction are essential in society.

The board said since all possible locations in the city would be close
to a school, it felt compelled to support the facility.

"We are a caring and compassionate society and we seek to model these
virtues for our children and youth," said the statement. "We recognize
dual diagnosis individuals as members of our community who have every
right to live among us and who both need and deserve our support,
particularly when they have made a commitment to stay healthy."

Parents have been critical because the proposed centre is close to
Alexander MacKenzie Elementary and John Oliver Secondary.

Mark Smith of Triage Emergency Services said the school board's
support of the centre should encourage city council to approve the
project despite parent complaints.

"One of the big issues the community has been trying to lean on is the
idea that this facility is too close to Mackenzie Elementary and John
Oliver High School and the people would pose a threat to their
children," Smith said.

"So to have the school board come forward and say they support this
project kind of takes the punch out of that."

Gemma Grossie of Mackenzie Elementary's Parent Advisory Council is
disappointed the VSB supported the facility before the PAC had a
chance to meet with the board. She said she is afraid it will attract
drug dealers who will prey on recovering addicts at the facility.

She wants the facility moved to a different neighbourhood.

"I would like it to be in a less children-focused area," Grossi said.
"It's spitting distance from John Oliver which has a daycare on site."

Board member Allen Blakey is aware of the parents' concerns but said
they have received misinformation about the facility. He said he has
heard a lot of "fear-mongering based on no evidence."

"I think there's a tendency in our society to be afraid of that which
is different and misunderstood," he said. "I find that really
disturbing. I don't think it's ignorance or paranoia. I think it's
fear."