NEIGHBOURS, BUSINESSES WORRIED ABOUT IMPACT OF REHAB CENTRE

Plans to build a 39-unit drug rehab centre on Fraser Street, close to two
schools, has raised concerns among nearby businesses and residents
struggling with crime in the area.

Adrien Balazs, spokeswoman for the South Vancouver Community Police Office,
said the proposed rehab centre, at 5616 Fraser St., is in an area plagued
with prostitutes, drug dealers and marijuana grow-ops. Directly opposite
the southeast section of Mountain View cemetery, the centre would also be
on a block kitty corner to John Oliver secondary school and just west of
Sir Alexander Mackenzie elementary.

About 300 nearby residents were notified of the development by the city at
the end of June, and told they had until Aug. 6 to make any comment.
Residents were also told that if they were in the process of selling their
home they should advise potential buyers the centre was planned for that area.

Ken Mason, chair of the Fraser Street Merchants Association and owner of
Mason Sewing Machine Co. at 6184 Fraser, said the city advisory notice was
distributed too narrowly. The whole South Vancouver community should have
been advised of the proposal, he says.

Because Mason's business is south of 41st Avenue, he was not notified of
the plan until last week, when he was contacted by Balazs.

Mason is upset that residents and businesses have only a month to respond,
noting that the two nearby schools are out on holiday, so parent groups
will likely not have time to organize a response. Mason will request
council extend the deadline for public comment until school returns in
September.

"We already have problems with drug users and hookers in the area and this
will compound that," Mason said. "We don't know what the impact will be, we
presume it will be negative. We are expecting the worst."

Balazs said the South Vancouver Community Police Office board will meet
this Tuesday to discuss a response to the plan. Local Liberal MLA Patrick
Wong is planning a public meeting, as is the Fraser Street Merchants
Association.

Plans to develop the property into an abstinence-based rehabilitation
centre for mentally ill addicts from the Downtown Eastside has been in the
works since 2000, when the city bought the property. The following year,
the city selected the Triage Emergency Services Society as the non-profit
group to operate the centre and has since granted the organization $331,000
to pay the lease.

The proposed building will be four storeys, with 39 one bedroom and studio
suites and a main entry on Fraser Street. The project is funded by B.C.
Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health, the city and the federal government.

Mark Smith and Greg Richmond, Triage staffers responsible for the
development, could not be reached by press time Friday. However, according
to Triage's website, the 39 units will be reserved for people with mental
illness, who are in recovery from drug use and who want to live in an
alcohol and drug-free setting. The building will be staffed around the
clock and residents will be offered a full range of support services.