DRUG RECOVERY HOMES RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING

Ottawa is shelling out for transition housing for men recovering from
drug addiction.

Human Resources Skills Development Canada has announced funding of
$157,651 to house up to 20 adult males during the three to six months
it takes to make the transition from addiction to employment and sobriety.

"It's really a good news thing," said Nanaimo John Howard Society
director Tony White.

"One of the difficulties we have, when people go to treatment without
a place to live, many of them, it sets them up to fail," White said.

The society hopes to establish four transition homes scattered around
the city.

"We won't be putting one up in an area known for drug activities,"
White said.

The society has a goal to open its first transition home Sept. 1.
White said residents have little to fear if such a facility should
appear in their neighbourhood.

"It would be no different than if you have a neighbour recovering from
substance abuse," White said. "These will be very well run operations."

Each home will have a peer mentor living on site. Parolees and those
on probation will not be accepted into the program. "We're not talking
halfway houses. Nobody will be there as a result of a court order."