A Central Saanich farm known for helping Victoria’s homeless population says it could save lives as B.C.’s overdose crisis rages on.
Staff at Woodwynn Farms say its grassroots treatment program is being underutilized as fentanyl-fueled overdoses kill hundreds.
The peninsula farm is urging several levels of government to help fast-track rezoning applications so that it can build toward housing nearly 100 recovering addicts.
Under current zoning laws, only eight volunteers are permitted to heal and help work on the farm as part of a community-based treatment program.
Between January and July of this year, 876 British Columbians died from opioid overdoses.
“I had a woman send me an email, and it was a photograph of herself in front of her son’s open casket,” said Woodwynn Farms Executive Director Richard Leblanc. “Just such a powerful message. That’s our driver that we have to be part of the solution, we have to bring this project to full fruition.”
On Tuesday, B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy said she would meet with the organization.
“We are looking at a wide range of options for people who are dealing with addictions,” said Darcy. “Recovery homes, recovery communities are certainly a part of that.”
Not everyone is so optimistic about expanding the farm’s treatment program.
If the Agricultural Land Commission green lights rezoning for the land, Woodwynn Farms would still need city council’s blessing.
But Central Saanich council says proposals from the farm so far have been inadequate.
“Fentanyl being out there obviously is a draw, I guess, and a concern for the community,” said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. “That doesn’t change us as a land-use authority trying to determine that this is an appropriate use,”
An application to rezone the farm land will be reviewed by the ALR next week.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Scott Cunningham
