The Caron Foundation of Florida's request for financial help was rejected by the Palm Beach County government, which voted 6-1 against granting tax-exempt bonds to the addiction treatment program, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Oct. 3.

The denial came days after the mayor of Delray Beach, Rita Ellis, complained about the impact the county's 40 treatment programs are having on local law enforcement. Caron was seeking the bonds to expand its facilities in Delray Beach and upgrade those in Boca Raton.

"I want to be known for quality care, but I don't want to be known as the drug rehab capital of the world," said Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty, who voted against the bond. "Palm Beach County has a drug problem," added Commissioner Burt Aaronson.  "What you [Caron Foundation] are doing is compounding a problem that we have."

An attorney for Caron said the failure to issue bonds would cost the nonprofit about $2 million and hurt individuals with disabilities.