DEATH REPORTED AT FRIENDSHIP LODGE

A death has occurred at Friendship Lodge, the new facility housing
residents who are recovering from addiction, dealing with mental
health, or in other ways are socially vulnerable.

Rumours quickly surfaced asserting that the death was as a result of
heroin overdose. This was refuted on Wednesday by Barb Ward-Burkitt,
the executive director of the Native Friendship Centre which operates
the facility on Queensway (formerly the Backpacker Hotel).

"There was a death," said Ward-Burkitt. "I don't know the cause of
death, but it is not respectful to the deceased and his family to
step over the coroner's information. It is up to the coroner to
convey that to the next of kin, but I do know for sure that it was
not a heroin overdose. Nobody at Friendship Lodge died of a heroin overdose."

The facility officially opened on Oct. 16 and Ward-Burkitt said
things there have so far been succeeding as hoped.

"We are full, people are doing well for the most part, as can be
expected from a collection of individuals who all have their
challenges, as we all do," she said, and clarified, "we are not full
of addicts. That is not a fair or accurate characterization of the
makeup of Friendship Lodge's many residents. There are many who are
perfectly fine who would live in an apartment building across the
street. There is a whole range of personal circumstances and they are
being surrounded with the supports - supports that everyone deserves
- - that they need to succeed in life."

Another rumour that has percolated out in the wake of the single
death, which occurred on Oct. 22, is that Friendship Lodge turns a
blind eye to the use of drugs in its suites. Again, Ward-Burkitt made
a definitive statement on the subject.

"Drugs are illegal no matter where you are. It doesn't matter if it's
there or in the bank, drugs are illegal. That is our approach to that
sort of thing."

The name of the deceased man was not disclosed.