DETOX BEDS ON THE WAY

Surrey could soon be home to as many as 32 detox recovery
beds.

Brenda Locke, the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, announced Monday that
Maple Cottage, a 22-bed detox centre in Burnaby may be moving to
Surrey, subject to city council approving rezoning.

"I think it's important news for Surrey, and I think it's important
for the health of our community," Locke said Tuesday in an interview
from Victoria. "I'm really pleased about it."

Maple Cottage - formerly in New Westminster -has 19 beds for adults
and three for adolescents, making it the only facility in the Lower
Mainland offering medically supervised alcohol and drug detoxification
treatment for teens from 14 to 18 years old.

Maple Cottage was moved Monday to a temporary location in Burnaby
until a spot can be found in Surrey.

"We have received approval from the Fraser Health Board to begin the
planning and rezoning process for the possible location of our detox
facility in Surrey," said Susan McKela, manager of health
services/Maple Cottage Detox.

"We are now at the very earliest stage of planning with a project
manager and will be moving forward with processes including public
consultation and rezoning." Surrey council was surprised by the
announcement.

Coun. Penny Priddy said Tuesday she hadn't heard anything about it,
and said it's a perfect example of why Surrey needs a comprehensive
social plan.

City council was also caught off guard by last-minute modifications to
another detox facility proposed for the 13600-block of 94A Ave.,
across from Surrey Memorial Hospital.

The $5-million, 22,000-sq.-ft. building will include an addictions
treatment centre with up to 10 beds, residents services, employment
services and a treatment area.

However, Mike Wilson of Phoenix Recovery Society also included a
10-bed homeless shelter as part of the project, which cost him council
approval.

"This is the first I've heard of the shelter," said Coun. Barbara
Steele.

Coun. Judy Higginbotham shared those concerns, calling emergency
shelters "at best a band-aid solution."

Most councillors supported the notion of a detox at that location and
asked the proponent to come back in January with a modified proposal.

Wilson said Tuesday he'd heard rumours about Maple Cottage relocating
but had no idea an announcement was imminent.

He said there is definitely enough demand locally for two detox
facilities.

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum said he "fully supports" Maple Cottage
relocating to this city.

"It just has to have a good track record."