Pubdate: Thu, 10 Aug 2006
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Chad Skelton

BADLY RUN DRUG RECOVERY HOMES ON THE RISE, HEALTH OFFICIAL SAYS

Liberals' Deregulation Killed Costly Process That Tracked Services

Unlicensed and poorly run drug and alcohol recovery homes are a large 
and growing problem in the Lower Mainland -- with allegations of 
everything from poor living conditions to drug-dealing on site, 
according to the manager of addiction programs for Fraser Health.

"Some of the complaints I get are about drug dealing in these 
houses," said Sherry Mumford. "There's been overcrowding. . . . Some 
places there's no food, some places youth and adults are together in 
a house. . . . There's been allegations of intimidation and violence 
in houses. You name it."

Dr. John Blatherwick, chief medical health officer for Vancouver 
Coastal Health, said similar concerns have been raised about 
unlicensed recovery homes in that region.

In 1998, after concerns were raised about shoddy standards in private 
recovery homes, the NDP government required all such facilities to be 
licensed -- which forced the homes to undergo inspections and meet 
minimum standards.

But in 2002, the Liberals de-regulated the industry -- which meant 
most recovery homes no longer required a licence.

Sarah Plank, a spokeswoman with the Ministry of Health, said the 
decision was made in part because some smaller homes found the 
licensing process too costly and onerous.

Mumford said she estimates there are now about 150 unlicensed 
recovery homes in the Fraser Health region alone.

Some of those facilities do a good job, said Mumford, but many do not 
- -- since virtually anyone can rent a house and start advertising 
themselves as a recovery home. "There's been a lack of skills and 
training to deal with a lot of the complex issues," she said. "This 
is about protecting an extremely vulnerable population."

Mumford said drug addicts who come directly to Fraser Health for help 
are referred to one of a small number of drug-treatment facilities 
that are licensed by the health authority and subject to inspections.

Those facilities are typically paid about $2,200 a month by the 
health authority to care for their clients -- with a typical stay 
lasting 90 days.

In contrast, unlicensed facilities usually rely solely on their 
clients' welfare cheques for income -- which can be as little as $510 a month.

Plank said the government is looking at forcing all recovery homes to 
be registered with the province -- which would require them to meet 
at least some minimum standards.

In the meantime, some municipalities have tried to control the growth 
of unlicensed recovery homes through zoning bylaws.

In June, Surrey's bylaw office wrote to Cornerstone Manor -- a 
three-house recovery facility in north Surrey -- demanding it cease 
operations because it is in a residential area that does not permit 
such a business.

"We've had ongoing problems with that facility, probably since 1998," 
said Mayor Dianne Watts.

There was no answer at Cornerstone Manor Wednesday.

Watts estimated there are probably 20 to 25 unlicensed recovery homes 
in Surrey.

"We've got individuals that are setting up recovery houses with no 
background, that are housing 30, 35 people in one house," she said. 
"We've got people detoxing on the floor and sleeping on mattresses on 
the floor with half a dozen other people."

Watts said the province needs to do more to ensure such facilities 
are well-run. "There's an absolute need in the community for this 
service," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman