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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman