LOOKING OUT FOR DRUGS

Residents of an Oceanside neighbourhood are saying a nearby drug
house threatens their safety.

In a strongly-worded e-mail -- sent last week to local police,
Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney, Joe Stanhope, chair for the Regional
District of Nanaimo and The News -- a woman, who asked for anonymity
to ensure her safety, says, "I am writing to report a 'drug house'
.. I did not know that this activity went on so blatantly. This
[home] has people coming and going at all hours of the day and night.

"I feel that I am putting myself in harm's way trying to fight for
this whole scared neighbourhood."

In the letter she describes people "with duffle bags full of
electronic equipment", loud obscenities in the middle of the night
and bizarre behaviour that she believes is attributable to drug use.

Another area resident tells a similar story.

"It's definitely a worry to everybody," says the woman who also
wishes to withhold her name.

She describes traffic coming and going from the home in question
"around the clock," and blames police for not dealing with the problem sooner.

"I don't see why we have to put up with it...[The police] don't seem
to care," she says.

Residents of the neighbourhood that the NEWS spoke to say the
suspicious activities have been going on for as long as ten years.

Bill Van Otterloo, Staff Sergeant for the Oceanside RCMP detachment
is hesitant to say much due to "ongoing investigations."

"We'll do what we can and I'm sure we'll roust them out."

Those that live in the area claim to have called police in the past
and say RCMP have been to the address in question but little has changed.

Van Otterloo confirms that the home is on their radar and "has been
for some time."

It's cold comfort for those living nearby.

In her e-mail, the resident living adjacent to the alleged drug house
says, "If I could speak to an officer about this instead of getting
the impression my concern is on the fast track to the garbage can I
would be feeling a little more protected."

Since sending her correspondence she has been contacted by police
regarding her concerns.