OPPOSITION CONFRONTS SUBSTANCE ABUSE CENTER

BETHANY -- The city council voted unanimously in a special meeting
Wednesday to try to block a proposed substance abuse center from coming to
town. The council directed the city's Planning and Zoning Commission to
consider new ordinances pertaining to drug and alcohol treatment centers,
prison prerelease centers and private prisons.

The meeting was called in response to a company's plan to open a drug and
alcohol center in Bethany.

Some city leaders have expressed concern that the proposed site for the
facility is ill-suited for the purpose and could create a public safety threat.

"It's next door to The Children's Center. It's across the street from the
college. It's a short distance from the elementary, middle and high school
of Bethany Public Schools," said Richard Engle, Ward 1 council member. "If
these people are there under any kind of court order or any kind of plea
bargain scenario, and yet they can come and go as they will, that creates a
very significant public safety risk."

City Attorney David Davis said the city's ordinances are not helpful in
this situation.

"We don't have anything specifically in our ordinance that mentions this,"
he said.

Broadway Place LLC is seeking certification to operate the center for
adults at the former Bethany Village Nursing Home, 6900 NW 39, which was
closed in November.

The company applied for certification with the state Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Department on Jan. 3. The center would be the company's first.

If the center meets all regulations, the state mental health board could
issue a temporary certification at its March 8 meeting. Temporary
certification would allow the center to begin treating patients, said
Rosemary Brown, a department spokeswoman.

Permanent certification could be granted if the center meets state
requirements after patients are being treated.

Broadway Place LLC previously sought to start a drug and alcohol treatment
center in another former nursing home at 1214 N Broadway Place in Oklahoma
City. The Oklahoma City Council unanimously denied the group's application
in November.