It’s approaching three months since neighbours in the Goodman Park area first raised concerns about a supportive recovery centre for drug addicts operating in a residential home.
The Town of Osoyoos attempted to bring in a “housekeeping” zoning bylaw amendment that would have allowed such facilities, without provincial licensing, to open in residential areas.
In the face of strong opposition, the bylaw was watered down so that all that remained was a new definition of supportive recovery.
From the beginning, it became clear that the proponent was already operating such a facility – ahead of any zoning approval or business license from the town, and after having been turned down for a provincial license.
And that facility continues to operate without any approvals.
While it’s certainly understandable that the town wouldn’t want to publicize its legal strategy, the town has still not acknowledged that an illegal facility is operating or that it is pursuing action to close it down or make it comply with the law.
We’ve heard from some readers who say legalities don’t matter and that recovery centres are needed.
But the experience in places like Surrey shows there are unethical operators who run unlicensed facilities offering little help to recovering addicts.
Allowing a business to flout the law invites others to do the same.
