Plans for recovery centre in Osoyoos abandoned

The operator of a supportive recovery centre in Penticton has apparently abandoned its effort to open a similar facility in Osoyoos.

After receiving complaints the Brandon Jansen Memorial Recovery Centre was illegally operating a recovery centre on a Harbour Key property for patients recovering from drug addiction, the Town of Osoyoos sent warning letters to the owner, chief administrative officer Barry Romanko told council at its meeting Monday.

“Information was shared with the town that the Brandon Jansen Foundation is not operating a supportive recovery centre . . . and has subsequently decided to abandon their efforts to establish a supportive recovery facility in Osoyoos,” Romanko said.

On its website, the Brandon Jansen Memorial Recovery Centre says it “provides guidance, support and care for people affected by addiction with recovery programs” and “provides change, and a fully individualized approach to treatment. The programming is based on healthy thinking with nutrition and healthy living with the mind, body, and soul at the center of our program.”

It currently operates a similar facility in Penticton, with that effort also plagued by a lack of community support.

The facility was opened on a second, undisclosed site after plans to open the six-bed facility at a first location were thwarted by neighbours who bought the property.

The company was reportedly operating the Osoyoos facility without proper municipal licensing, much to the frustration of many of the facility’s neighbours.

“This particular allegation has been very time-consuming for staff and council, and created a stressful environment for the neighbourhood and the community as whole,” said Romanko.