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May 15, 2007
Re: 8180 Ash Street, Richmond, B.C.
Dear Residents:
Thank you for taking the time to contact Turning Point with your
concerns about our proposed development at 8180 Ash St. Although
we have not yet confirmed the funding for this proposal, or
applied to the City for Rezoning or Development permits, we are
hopeful that BC Housing will be providing funding in the near
future. However, until that time, the future of our proposal
remains somewhat uncertain.
In the meantime, I wanted to provide you with some facts about
our program and our residents in an effort to address some of
the concerns you have brought forward.
Note that the property on Ash Street is owned by BC Housing and
is already zoned for institutional use. Whether we or some other
agency was to be designated to use the site, it will be used for
institutional purposes per the zoning and its ownership.
Further, a rezoning application has yet to be made to the City.
A rezoning is required primarily for the additional
self-contained residential units we wish to incorporate as part
of the recovery process.
Turning Point works
Turning Point has been in operation for 25 years. We are a
Support Recovery Program for individuals affected by addictions.
Our residents are screened before intake to ensure they are
compatible with our program, and must be detoxified for 48 hours
before admission. We do not accept individuals who are not yet
abstinent. Individuals with extensive mental health issues are
referred elsewhere for more intensive services.
Our residents come to us as individuals who are motivated to
change and improve their lives. They are not mandated to our
programs by court orders. They seek our services voluntarily
because they have a strong desire to remain free from alcohol
and/or drug use and are willing to go to any lengths to get
well.
Our residents come from all walks of life and socio-economic
positions: from business persons and professionals to labourers
to those who are at risk of homelessness. An important part of
our proposal in Richmond is to reach out to women and women with
children. Ten beds and four second stage units are being devoted
specifically to women and women with children.
Our program requires that residents participate in abstinent
based services including individual and group counselling,
life-skills, stress management, conflict resolution skill
development, substance abuse education, employment and work
skills development, health, and relapse prevention education.
Programming occurs daily. Residents are also provided time to
make appointments with social workers, counsellors and other
professionals in the community for additional support.
Our primary program is 90-120 days long. Residents in second
stage housing, the proposed self-contained residences at the
rear of the property, reside on average for up to one year.
Turning Point operates with rules and policies in place that
ensure the well being of our residents and the greater
community. Supervision is in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. At the proposed site on Ash Street, 2 staff will live on
site. Overnight guests are not permitted. If our rules are
violated, our residents are referred elsewhere for assistance.
Turning Point is licensed under the provincial government’s
Community Care Adult Facilities Act, and we meet or exceed all
standards set out in our contract with the Vancouver Coastal
Health Authority. We are also incorporated under British
Columbia’s Society Act and our operations are governed by a
12-member board comprised of professionals from within the
community.
A track record of success
Over 2000 individuals have received services from Turning Point
in our 25 years of operation. On average, over 70% of our
residents that have completed our program have remained
substance free one year after entering our program. Many of our
graduates continue to participate in either our Alumni meetings
or as Volunteers.
Recovery programs are needed in Richmond
There is an urgent need for addictions services in Richmond.
There are currnetly no residential recovery facilities for
women, and no second-stage residential housing exists.
Statistically, one in five persons in British Columbia is
affected by addiction. You may know someone who has an addiction
or who needs help. Quite possibly, it may be a family member.
Research clearly demonstrate that when housed in their own
communities, as opposed to a distant rural location separated
from family and supports, people have a far greater likelihood
of success in remaining abstinent.
Location
Based on our experience with our Odlin Road property — and the
experience of similar addictions housing projects in the City of
Vancouver — concerns that it would affect property values, draw
drug dealers to the neighborhood or require regular police
visits, while legitimate, have not been substantiated. In fact,
the City of Vancouver reports that in some cases “crime declines
in the vicinity of the building because of the increased
surveillance provided by the staff.”
Another issue that has been raised repeatedly is the proximity
of our proposal to a nearby school. Again, while legitimate,
this concern must be addressed with the facts. Our Odlin road
residence is one block away from a park where children and youth
play on a daily basis. There has never been an incident that has
arisen due to the proximity of our residence to the park. That
being said, Turning Point is prepared to take all precautions
and work with the Richmond RCMP, local schools and Parent
Advisory Councils to answer any questions and address any
concerns.
Lastly, if any unwanted criminal activity were ever to take
place on or nearby our facility, as with our Odlin road
property, Turning Point would be the first caller to the RCMP,
who are committed to a quick response.
Working together for the benefit of our community
Thank you again for your questions and comments. As mentioned
previously, we intend to host a Neighbourhood Advisory Committee
of immediate neighbours and other representatives, including the
RCMP.
We hope you will take the time to learn the facts about our
proposal and work with us so we may learn together and walk
together toward a compassionate understanding of each others
concerns and objectives, and those of residents who require our
services.
We hope that you will take that journey with us to build an
accepting, compassionate and inclusive neighbourhood. Please
call me if you have any questions or you would like to tour our
Odlin Road facility. I may be reached at 604-303-6844
Sincerely,
Brenda L. Plant
Executive Director
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