HOMELESS KIDS TAKEN TO SQUALID DRUG SQUAT

The Kangaroo Point two-storey house has unsealed "sharps" bins full of used
needles lying next to mounds of garbage.

Government officials say they are powerless to force the absentee landlord
to act.

Neighbours' complaints to police and government agencies have had little result.

First Contact for Youth co-ordinator Robbie Williams said the house was next
door to his organisation's hostel and it was not unusual for street workers
and mainstream youth groups to drop off kids late at night.

"We are trying to run a youth service here for kids at risk and with special
needs and other services are dropping kids off next door at night," Mr
Williams said. "The police said it was one of the best-known squats,
especially for transients passing through Brisbane."

Mr Williams said staff at First Contact's hostel had administered first aid
several times to squatters who had slashed their wrists.

Commanding officer of the Dutton Park Police Command area, Inspector Peter
Harding, said police visited the house every three days and he was worried
about the health of people who used it and police who inspected it.

Insp Harding said his officers reported hundreds of syringes littering the
house.

"I am always worried about my people when they go into situations like that
because of the various contagious diseases these days," he said.

Police have arrested a number of people at the house for offences such as
break and enter, stealing and possession of stolen property.

Brisbane City Council health spokesman David Hinchliffe said the property
was owned by absentee landlord and the council had no powers to clean up the
inside.

A Queensland Health executive, John Scott, said there appeared to be no
local government regulation for councils to take action about such houses.