MOM SHUNNED FOR DRUGGIE SON

Woman's Home Under Investigation As a Drug Den Despite Evicting
Meth-Addicted Family Member

At her west-end residence, 61-year-old Lorraine Gach keeps a mowed
lawn, an ornate china set, two sofas, four cats, several paintings
and, according to Alberta's solicitor general and Public Security
Division, a drug den.

Gach's home is under surveillance around the clock under the Safer
Communities and Neighbourhoods Act (SCAN), and she lives in fear that
she will be evicted from her home of almost 35 years, for having a
son addicted to meth.

"It just disturbs me deeply," Gach said. "(I don't) want to live in a
neighbourhood where I'm not liked, respected, or wanted.

"I want to live in peace and not be shunned."

Neighbour Complaints

SCAN informed Gach of the surveillance on her home, near 152 Street
and 110 Avenue, after several complaints by neighbours. The
complaints, she says, are presumably linked to her 34-year-old son, John.

While she forced her son to move out Wednesday, Gach is puzzled as to
why SCAN is still investigating her home.

"They said the investigation would stop when John moved out," Gach
said. "Now he's gone and (SCAN) can't assure me."

After Gach e-mailed SCAN to inform them that her son was gone as per
their request, they e-mailed back saying they "appreciate the
information that John Gach has vacated your premise. However, our
investigation will continue until we are satisfied that the alleged
drug activity occurring at your premise is no longer occurring. We
will advise you when our investigation has concluded."

The SCAN Act was passed in the fall of 2007 and was operational by
the fall of 2008.

It urges citizens to report drug activity in their communities. SCAN
investigators have the ability to close down and lock up any suspect
buildings, targeting a drug- associated property and not the individuals.

Gach said many in her community consider her home a haven for
druggies and drug abuse, something she wants to set straight.

Not a Drug House

"This house has been called a drug house for years," Gach said.
"Which it is not because no sale of drugs is taking place here and no
manufacturing of drugs."

She said the Edmonton Police Service has twice inspected her property
for evidence of a meth lab, finding nothing.

The complaints to SCAN started when her son moved back home after
being arrested in February 2007 for possession of methamphetamines
and marijuana. She said her son has been battling drug addictions for
10 years, and has fluctuated from being clean to being completely strungout.

Unsavoury people often came to her home when her son lived there and
Gach would have to tell them to "get lost."

She has a sign on her door saying: "This is a home, not a drop-in
centre. Your lack of concern and ignorance by dropping by at all
hours of the day and night, has caused this home to be under surveillance."

At this point, Gach wants to assure her neighbours that her house is
clean and that her son's drug abuse will no longer affect the community.

"I want to be left alone and to be not looked down upon," she said.
"It's terrible to live here and go outside and feel like everyone's
watching and glaring at me."

Gach hopes SCAN will cease their investigation shortly.