REGION REINS IN RECOVERY HOUSES

The doors of recovery homes failing to comply with new regulations are
about to closein the South Fraser Health Region.

About 30 of the facilities have shut down, unable to afford the expensive
renovations and program changes necessary for compliance.

The situation has left addicts wandering the streets looking for help,
addiction experts say.

Susan Lewis closed her recovery home two years ago in the face of
increasing regulations. Of her former addict clients, she says "almost all
are loaded ... a lot of them are on Hastings Street."

The addiction professional of 10 years says the closure of recovery homes
isn't the answer.

But at least one local recovery activist disagrees.

Christine Eden owned a recovery home until 1997, when she shut it down due
to personal health reasons. Still active in the recovery community, Eden
says most of the other homes that have recently closed merely served as
flop houses.

"The ones that are working are the ones that are going through the
(province's) application process," says Eden.

The latest phase of that process began two weeks ago, when the regional
health authority began "progressive enforcement" of Surrey's recovery
homes, targeting those that don't comply with the Community Care Facilities
Act.

For almost two years, the South Fraser Health Region has required local
recovery homes to follow the same rules as other care facilities, such as
seniors' housing and day cares.

Those new guidelines are responsible for a dramatic drop in the number of
recovery homes in Surrey.

Only a few years ago, Surrey had a total of 54 recovery houses, one-third
the province's total. The majority of them were established to provide care
for people trying to beat drug or alcohol addiction. However, until now, a
viable system hasn't been in place to ensure addicts and alcoholics are
getting standardized and adequate care.

In August 1999, the South Fraser Health Region informed local recovery home
operators they would have to clear criminal record checks, provide adequate
staffing, and acceptable menus. In addition, the homes would require
sprinkler systems, and a minimum number of sleeping rooms.

Due to those related costs, the number of recovery homes in Surrey has
dropped to 14.

Officials expect that number will further decrease as the region begins
additional enforcement.

The most recent home to face the crackdown is Renaissance House at 10606
142 St.

Paul Hundal, the chief licensing officer for the health region, said Monday
that Renaissance has had more than a year to comply.

"Unfortunately, they haven't been that co-operative," Hundal said.

Renaissance, a house primarily for methadone patients, had until yesterday
(Tuesday) to meet the standards set by the B.C. Community Care Facilities Act.

Dr. Brad Caulfield, who helps run Renaissance, said Monday compliance is
unlikely any time soon.

He refutes a recent report in a local newspaper that claimed the staff at
Renaissance were dispensing methadone.

The pharmacist from Care Point pharmacy attended the home on a regular
basis to administer supervised doses of the drug, he says.

As to bringing the recovery home up to provincial code, Caulfield said it
would cost about $50,000 for a larger kitchen, sprinkler system and
staffing. He added there's no guarantee of subsequent provincial funding.

So far, only four of the city's original 54 facilities now fall within
provincial guidelines.

They include Path to Freedom at 190 St. and 56 Ave., Phoenix Men's house,
which operates two homes in Newton on the King George Hwy. near 68 Ave.,
and Liz's Place in Guildford. Only Path to Freedom is city licensed.

Hundal believes the final number of Surrey recovery homes will be between
eight and 10.

Sid Brar helps run New Beginnings methadone clinic at 10690 135 A St., in
North Surrey and says the recovery houses are an important stop on the
healing journey.

Closing the facilities down sends the wrong message to people trying to
break free from the grip of addiction, she says.

"What are we sayin?" Brar asks. "You don't matter."

Eden maintains most of the Surrey's recovery homes have been that in name
alone.

"They (addicts) are just using it as a place to crash."

Lewis doesn't see a problem.

"Yeah, they are flop houses," Lewis allows. "At least they're off the
street - they're not in dumpsters on Hastings or in Whalley."