Residents oppose Wasatch Press Treatment Center permit amid safety and profit concerns

The Summit County Snyderville Basin Planning Commission meeting on November 8, 2022, highlighted significant community concerns regarding a proposed substance abuse treatment facility. Residents voiced strong opposition to the facility's conditional use permit, citing potential risks to neighborhood safety and the well-being of local children.

Key speaker Ben Rifkin raised alarming statistics about substance abuse treatment success rates, noting that only about 30% of individuals achieve lasting recovery. He emphasized the recommendation from treatment professionals that individuals should seek rehabilitation outside their local areas to avoid returning to environments that may trigger relapse. Rifkin also pointed out that the facility would allow non-violent felons and registered offenders to participate in treatment, raising concerns about their proximity to Trailside Elementary School, located less than a mile away.

Rifkin's analysis of the facility's financial motivations painted a picture of a profit-driven operation, with potential revenues reaching up to $5 million annually. He argued that the focus on profitability over community safety should lead the commission to deny the permit.

Other residents echoed these sentiments, expressing worries about the facility's impact on the neighborhood. Teresa Hall, a local resident, highlighted the difference between assisted living facilities and substance abuse treatment centers, arguing that the latter would have a more significant negative impact on the community. She also questioned the increase in the maximum number of beds from 16 to 24, suggesting it was driven by business viability rather than community needs.

The meeting underscored a growing tension between the need for substance abuse treatment services and the community's desire for safety and stability. As discussions continue, the commission faces the challenge of balancing these competing interests while considering the implications of their decisions on local residents. The outcome of the permit request remains uncertain, but the voices of concerned citizens are clear: they prioritize the safety of their neighborhood above all.