Pubdate: Wed, 12 Apr 2006 Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, West Partners Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.kelownacapnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294 Author: Shelley Nicholl INTERIOR HEALTH TRIES TO DISPEL MYTHS There's the story of John. He's a schizophrenic with alcohol dependency who is trying to get off the street and on his feet. "He needs a place to live where he won't be kicked out just because he slipped," psychiatrist Don Duncan told city council Monday. John is one of the reasons why the 30-unit supportive housing complex slated for St. Paul Street is necessary, Duncan explained. The housing complex for homeless people with mental illnesses or addictions was on city council's agenda Monday. Following public responses, most of which were opposed to the project, Interior Health Authority and B.C. Housing representatives had their chance to defend and dispel. Faced with public concerns the housing complex would house drug users and be a magnet for criminals and drug pushers, Duncan, director of mental health services for the IHA, said that will not be the case. "We will not be handing out drugs or alcohol. We will not be encouraging the use," Duncan said. "Anyone caught dealing would be thrown out." The main problem is with the term "harm reduction" used to describe the operating model of the complex, he said. Duncan said it doesn't mean the residents will be using drugs freely. It just means if they slip up sometimes, they will be allowed to stay and continue getting treatment. "Harm reduction is a general term," he said. "It describes any approach other than abstinence based. Anything non abstinence is harm reduction." Duncan noted Kelowna's project could be considered "very conservative" as far as similar projects go. When questioned by council why the complex couldn't be based on the abstention model, Duncan said Kelowna already has those kinds of facilities and the need is for the harm-reduction one. It fills a gap, he explained. The province had agreed to fund the $4.5 million construction of the apartments and the IHA will hold the operation budget. The city was to provide the land and B.C. Housing would pick a housing provider, which is expected to be announced once the site is chosen. The opening date is set for September, 2007. Ira Roness, with IHA alcohol and drug services, stressed that the tenants are there to get well, not continue abusing. They will be screened before they get in, not come directly from the streets, and will be under constant supervision. He also said there will be a community advisory committee set up to address any concerns neighbours of the project might have. As far as the St. Paul site that was chosen by council and then was the first pick by the site task force, James Munro of B.C. Housing said it wouldn't matter if a different location was chosen. "We can work with any site," he said. Coun. Andre Blanleil pointed out other sites might be found with time and questioned why B.C. Housing was moving so fast. "People need housing," replied Munro. Blanleil also questioned the experimental nature of the project. Because there are no similar models in the area, the city was being a guinea pig for the unknown entity. Roness admitted this is new to Kelowna, but said there are other models in Europe and the United States. Said Duncan, "This is so mainstream. It's as far away from experimental as you can get." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin