Bermuda?s addicts were granted a safe haven in St. George?s when the Development Applications Board (DAB) approved a rehab centre in Town Cut.

The DAB granted final planning approval to Focus Counselling Services, care of Sandra Butterfield, for a proposed rehabilitation centre for a maximum of 12 programme participants at No. 37 Barry Road, St. George?s.

?I am elated,? Ms Butterfield said yesterday. ?It means when addicts come out of treatment they will have a safe place to be while they are back in the community, working, going to meetings and having daily drug testing.

?It is a lot of work for them,? she said. ?They will be on a curfew. It is very structured.?

The DAB said a building permit would be needed prior to construction and no other homes with separate assessment numbers could be created by it.

It ruled the maximum number of programme participants did not not include any staff required to run the

facility.

?Any increase in the number of programme participants shall be subject to a further application to the Development Applications Board,? it said. ?For the avoidance of doubt the four transitional units shall only be used as temporary accommodations for clients/programme participants for a period of stay not to exceed 24 months.?