RESIDENTS' NEEDS CLASH WITH THOSE OF ADDICTS

My husband and I are among many seniors who spent most of our life
savings on a condo called Europa, International Village at Keefer
Place. We wanted to be in the downtown area so that, as we age and
driving is inadvisable, we would be able to take buses or walk without
fear.

However, the street is a haven for illegal drug activity, day and
night, and we can't step outside the door without being approached by
someone begging for money, sometimes in a threatening manner. The City
of Vancouver is now planning a 24-hour free methadone and health
clinic for these people, which will imperil our safety even further.

All our lives, we have been law-abiding taxpayers, going through hard
times providing for our families. We are paying mortgages and taxes to
live here; we cannot afford to lose money on the last home of our lives.

Wouldn't the clinic clientele be better off psychologically in an area
that is countrified and more healing, away from the downtown area?
Allowing this clinic will rob us of joy in our last years -- joy that
all seniors and law-abiding citizens deserve. This clinic will
diminish property values and make us less safe.

I invite anyone who differs with my opinion to come over and watch the
crack pipes light up at night and see how the addicts blatantly inject
themselves right at our front door, then drop used needles into our
plants.

Roslyne Davidson-Hoffer

Vancouver