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." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom