SAFE - EXPROPRIATE DERELICT PROPERTIES

Stratford Action for Equality wants to see city council step up its
fight against poverty and drugs in Stratford.

In a presentation to council on Monday night, Julian Ichim said in the
year he's lived in Stratford, he's met plenty of people in need.

"The reality of the situation is there are economic problems in
Stratford," said Ichim, noting he's investigated meth houses, spoken
to industrial workers who have lost their jobs and others who work in
the hospitality industry who struggle to make ends meet.

"There are people who have given up all hope."

He suggested the city needs to take steps to ensure those people do
have a future through creation of affordable housing and better
drug-rehabilitation programs.

Ichim noted there are "derelict" properties in the city whose owners
aren't taking responsibility for their upkeep. These properties, he
said, are fire hazards and are dangerous places where people often go
to get high.

A bylaw called Use it or Lose it, drafted by SAFE and presented to
council, suggests if a property is left derelict for up to four years,
the city step in a expropriate the property and use it to benefit the
city, such as through the creation of affordable housing. It is
suggested a committee be struck to identify the properties.

SAFE, who recently erected a tent city near the skatepark on Downie
Street, would like to see the Cooper Site used to house a university
and student housing.

"People need something more than working as a waiter at Bentleys or
Balzacs," he said.

Coun. Paul Nickel said Choices for Change already offers drug
counselling in the community and their services are available to those
who need it. Ichim said while the agency does good work in the
community, counselling only goes so far and there is a need for a
proper drug detox centre and methadone clinic.

Another SAFE group member, Krystal Bax - who also sits on the crystal
meth task force - said there is also a need for drug detox programming
through the local police service. She said in other municipalities,
drug addicts are offered proper rehabilitation while in police
custody. In Stratford, she said they receive no treatment and are
released, usually to go back to their addictions.

Coun. Bonnie Henderson agreed with the presenters and said she has
received phone calls from constituents suggesting better
drug-rehabilitation facilities are needed in the community.