This manual examines the legal remedies available to alcohol and drug treatment providers who wish to challenge discriminatory zoning and siting decisions that result from the NIMBY syndrome. The NIMBY Syndrome is not new and does not arise solely in opposition to alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs. Community resistance is often mobilized to prevent the opening or expansion of many types of health and social services facilities, including homeless shelters, group homes for the mentally ill, halfway houses for ex-offenders and health-related facilities for persons with AIDS. The opening of an alcohol and drug treatment program, regardless of modality, is often met by community resistance. Neighborhood opposition has delayed or prevented the siting of many treatment programs, and even disrupted the relocation of existing programs. Unfortunately, even if a program ultimately prevails, the fight can be costly, not only in terms of resources, but in its effects on the clients as well.
