Pubdate: Tue, 07 Feb 2006
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Kevin Diakiw
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

CITY TARGETS DRUG HOMES

Surrey is dropping the hammer on drug houses, declaring them 
uninhabitable until inspections are conducted and any needed repairs 
are complete.

The initiative comes as part of the city's new Controlled Substance 
Property Bylaw presented to council Jan. 30.

The bylaw was endorsed unanimously.

Homeowners whose property is used for illegal drug operations will 
now be hit in the pocketbook as strict new measures will be required 
before the home can be resold.

Once the city determines a home has been altered, electrically or 
structurally, to make it suitable for marijuana grow operations or 
meth labs, it will be off limits to occupancy.

A notation will be placed on the city tax notice alerting any 
subsequent buyers the home has been deemed structurally or 
electrically unsound.

Surrey will notify the registered owner the home cannot be lived in 
until the following measures are followed:

- - certified companies must conduct a safety inspection to ensure the 
property is clear of any toxic dangers, such as mold, fungus, toxic 
fumes and condensation;

- - owners must arrange for an independent inspection with a report 
submitted to the city attesting to its structural integrity;

- - owners must have a certified electrical inspector ensure the wiring 
meets B.C. Building Code requirements;

- - all city costs associated with investigation, dismantling and 
subsequent inspections will be recovered from the homeowner;

Mayor Dianne Watts described the bylaw as "part of the puzzle" in 
choking off illegal drug operations.

"We have to do everything we can to stop methamphetamines from 
getting to our kids," she said.

Coun. Marvin Hunt agreed, adding the bylaw is a good start in 
tackling the problem of drug homes.

"I don't think we can ever come to a perfect solution, but it 
certainly heads in the right direction," Hunt said.

"No doubt, after a couple of years we'll find some warts that we have 
to fix again."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom