NEEDLE-EXCHANGE SITE CREATES HARD FEELINGS

(CNS) - Business owners in Nanaimo's Old City Quarter are upset that
a street-level health clinic that includes a needle exchange for drug
users was sneaked into a Franklyn Street heritage home, even though
they have been assured by the group behind the move that the
well-being of the neighbourhood will be protected.

The clinic was located on Cavan Street but lost its lease in June.
The move to the house at 375 Franklyn St. -- built in 1898 -- will
happen in January.

Gord Cote of NARSF said it was good business practice to not make an
announcement until the lease was signed.

The delay in notification was enough to rile some business owners,
who question the suitability of the location and remain annoyed they
were not consulted.

Rob Kelly of Ardent Properties, two doors away from the clinic, said
he doesn't want such a clinic in his neighbourhood.

He also has concerns that zoning changes allowed for a lack of
consultation in placing such services in the downtown area.

"People choose our business or they choose another one," he said.

Eric McLean of McLean's Specialty Foods and president of the Old City
Quarter Association also said he wanted more advance notice.

He believes there was "trickery and subterfuge" in announcing the
clinic only after the lease was signed.

Cote also said problems with the homeless and substance abusers may
be worse in the area if there is no clinic.

But Kelly disagrees, saying his research shows it's a poor location.
"I'm not sure the site in this location will achieve those objectives."