AN expanding addiction treatment centre hopes neighbours can be cured - of prejudice.

Privately-run Pierpoint House, St Annes, has applied to open its third centre in June, offering a secure, drug-free base for recovered patients to stay while they restart work or training.

Director John Grady hopes the scheme - which also includes a day treatment centre - at Craiglands, former flats in Clifton Drive North, will be given the go-ahead by Fylde planning committee on May 20.

But neighbours are worried. Audrey Preston, who runs holiday and permanent flats opposite Craiglands, said: "I'm very concerned, I really don't think it's a suitable property - I don't think people are going to want to come on holiday opposite a drug addict centre.

"I know they've got to be integrated in the community and I sympathise, but I think Pierpoint House is big enough, we're in danger of becoming saturated with them."

Pierpoint House, just a few buildings away in the same road, has succesfully treated more than 1,500 addicts of all kinds - from drugs to alcohol, gambling, eating disorders and even shopping - since 1991.

A totally residential centre for 29 patients, its clients come voluntarily from far and wide.

They must remain totally drug and alcohol-free, undertaking the 12-step treatment programme pioneered at the Betty Ford Centre used by Hollywood stars in America.

Three years ago the Pierpoint company opened Holly Lodge in Victoria Road as a follow-on rehabilitation base for up to 13 residents.

Said Mr Grady: "There's no cause for neighbours to be concerned - in the seven years we've been going we've not had any problems or complaints from neighbours either at Pierpoint or Holly Lodge.

"We run a very tight ship, it's a very controlled environment, we have strict rules and expectations, people are there voluntarily and if they transgress they are discharged.

"People come to us because we have a very clean reputation."

Craiglands, if it goes ahead, would possibly be the most drug- and alcohol-free house in the area, he said.

Pierpoint's expertise has won support across the political spectrum - including Home Secretary Jack Straw who visited last year - and has even attracted clients from Europe.

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