Letter To Editor, Peace Arch News
It is wonderful that much needed subsidized government housing is being proposed at 19th ave and 152nd Street in South Surrey. We definitely need more affordable housing for seniors, as well as moms and their children.
The ‘low-barrier’ B.C. Housing model regarding hard drug usage is not working. Sadly, this site will be not a drug-free treatment centre focused on rehabilitation, but rather have sixty units for people using government-provided hard drugs.
Rather than focusing on giving people treatment to get off hard drugs (as happens in Alberta), the emphasis by the current B.C. government is instead on removing the stigma of hard drug use. We have learned from the B.C. Housing information meeting that at least two drug consumption rooms, inside and outside, will be part of this proposed government housing.
We need to keep South Surrey safe, especially for seniors and children. Given the very close proximity to children’s activities in the park, school, daycares, and library, the City of Surrey Councillors and future Mayor need to say no to this deeply flawed proposal, no to the rezoning of 1880/88-152 Street and 15238-19th Avenue.
Rev Dr. Ed Hird
-a member of the Semiahmoo South Surrey Coalition
Edhird's Blog 