Pubdate: Sat, 4 Jul 2009
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Matthew Dykstra, Special to Sun Media

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.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake