IT'S DIFFICULT TO RECOVER FROM NIMBY

There's a bad case of NIMBY going around.

This time, the cause of this mostly suburban affliction is a South Surrey recovery home for men trying to kick their drug and alcohol problems.

The Launching Pad on 160th Street wants to expand from 12 to 17 residents and is seeking rezoning approval from the City of Surrey.

Some 250 residents in both Surrey and White Rock have already signed their names to a petition against the rezoning application. They have concerns about locating a recovery home in the middle of a residential neighbourhood that is also home to a large number of children. The Launching Pad is in fact located a few blocks from two elementary schools.

What seems to be lost in all of this, however, is that the recovery facility is jut that: a recovery facility. More than 90 per cent of the clients hail from 30- to 60-day treatment programs elsewhere, and simply need additional time in a supportive, group setting to get back on their feet. They all want their lives to return to normal, and living in a home in a quiet residential neighbourhood - not a commercial or industrial complex - is pretty normal for most of us.

Heck, when you really stop and think about it, wouldn't you feel better living next to a home for actively recovering addicts, than a seedy drug house full of active users who didn't need your permission to move in?

Without a doubt, residents have the right to oppose the expansion of this facility - but they have a responsibility to voice and investigate their concerns about it and attempt to have those concerns addressed, too.

Hopefully, they exercise their responsibilities as well as their rights.