The plan for an addiction rehabilitation house in central Wagga has divided locals, with some opposing the development while others deem it necessary for the city.
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Residents were sent into uproar on Wednesday after The Daily Advertiser revealed plans for the Riverina Recovery House to be established on Gurwood Street.
But while many oppose the rehabilitation house’s development, there are just as many in favour of the facility, calling it a “much-needed addition” to the city.
Local woman Cassie Bourke said she fully supported the Riverina Recovery House after she was forced to send a family member to Sydney to receive treatment for a drug addiction.
“So many people are complaining about this, but there’s such a need for it here in Wagga, because drug and alcohol abuse are such a problem,” Ms Bourke said.
“My family had to send a loved one away and cut him off from all his support, and that’s not what you want to do.
“If we have something like this in the city then people who need the help can get it here safely, with all the professional support they need.”
The proposed recovery house would take over an already existing guesthouse at 199 Gurwood Street and would house up to 12 residents that would undergo the holistic recovery program, which includes yoga and meditation classes, therapy sessions and educational classes.
Glenfield Park resident Tash Ducker said people who took issue with the recovery house were “naive” and misunderstood the patients.
”But I think people who are against it have a lot of misconceptions about rehabilitation centres in general,” she said.
“They think the patients are bad and dangerous, but really they’re just normal people who have taken the wrong path and are now looking for the help they deserve.”
Many of those opposed to the development raised safety concerns regarding the service, but co-owner Debbie Cox said these were unfounded, as there would be constant monitoring, regular drug tests and a complete zero drug tolerance policy.
“The residents are clean and sober before they come into the house, so there are no issues with safety,” she said.
Ms Cox said people opposed to the house simply did not understand the service the facility was providing for those in its care.
“This is a place for people in their final stage of recovery and that’s something a lot of people don’t seem to realise,” she said.
“They’ve done their detox and this centre is simply to teach them new, healthy habits and help them leave their old life behind.”
