Unlicensed rehab facility in Surrey faces closure

The City of Surrey has orderedthe shutdown of an unlicensed drug and alcohol recovery house because it's not providing a proper standard of care.

Mayor Dianne Watts says there are about 35 recovery houses in the city, and many are not licensed and get awaywith providing poor service.

Watts says some of the operators are only in it for the money, and they can hurt the very people they're supposed to be helping.

"It's about making sure that these people are not victimized again, where their money is being taken. They're being thrown out on the street and that's what we want to prevent."

Many of the facilities charge up to $450 a month for a bed.

Watts says the city doesn't want to shut down all the unlicensed houses, because some do provide good care.

She is also calling on theB.C. government to start regulating and funding the recovery houses once again.

The government stopped funding and regulating the rehab houses in 2002.They're now licensed by the Fraser Health Authority.