A drugs rehabilitation project is still set to go ahead in North Yorkshire - provided suitable accommodation can be found.

As reported last week the Alpha Project Development and Management had abandoned plans to set up a residential centre in the grounds of Ampleforth College, following protests from some local residents.

Alpha director Colin Bland said it was felt the consultation process with residents would take too long.

Now he has revealed that the funding which comes from the seized assets of drug dealers is still in place to enable the scheme to go ahead.

But first he needs to find a substantial property which is available on a long-term lease.

He said the property could be either out in the North Yorkshire countryside or in York. "There are advantages and disadvantages in both."

Mr Bland says the project would at any one time benefit 12 or more people who were motivated to address their addiction problems.

He says each resident would stay at the centre for at least 90 days, undergoing a tightly structured 12-step rehabilitation programme which would include coursework, one-to-one counselling and group work.

He said similar schemes elsewhere have enjoyed 50 per cent success rates - whereby half the people taking part were still "clean" two years after completing the course.

He said there was a major need for such a course in York and North Yorkshire. "You have only to look at the streets of York to see the problems."

He says there would be no risk to people living nearby, but still accepts there may still be opposition, no matter which property he chooses.

He says a planning application will be lodged, as if the project involved turning the property into a residential care home, at which point any local objections would be considered by planners.

*Anyone with accommodation which might be suitable for lease by Alpha should contact Mr Bland by e-mail at bland.integrity@virgin.net, or by mobile 0786 7525751.

Updated: 08:35 Wednesday, January 31, 2001