Residents approach council over town addict house fears

News Archive > General > Residents approach council over town addict house fears

Andy Laming13/01/2010

Councillors and Newquay residents are to approach Cornwall Council with their concerns about a Fore Street building planned to house recovering drug addicts and alcoholics.
A meeting was held between a recently formed action group and three local councillors. Many local homeowners are concerned that when the facility is in operation residents will be unsupervised for much of the time.
Residents also wished to know whether Danesbury House, which will house low risk residents at the last stages of their recovery, may one day be used to house higher risk individuals.
Cornwall councillor Geoff Brown admitted that, "in an ideal world," he did not feel that the position of the house, which is opposite The Fort pub was a good idea.
He said: "A major concern I have is that perhaps it is not the best location for that sort of building, the residents are going to come face to face with temptation at some point.
"My main concern is that there may be no constant supervision of the premises, and that is an issue that must be addressed."
Cllr Brown has since contacted Cornwall Council to arrange a meeting between residents and key council officers who have been involved with Danesbury House.
Cornwall councillor George Edwards also attended the meeting on Monday night, bringing his experience of having run a similar facility for 18 years.
He said: "When residents have reached Stage 3 of their recovery, they are no trouble to anyone; however, I do feel that they should have a 'live-in' warden.  If they did, I am sure that a lot of the problems residents could have would be removed."
Cllr Edwards stated that although Stage 3 is the final part of the recovery, residents of the house may still be using methadone, a less habit-forming drug similar to morphine and used to help wean addicts from heroin or other opiates.
Resident David Hanshaw chaired the meeting, during which residents condemned the project.
Mr Hanshaw said: "We are setting these people up to fail, putting them opposite a pub, and near to a supermarket which is the cheapest place you can get alcohol.  Our concerns are not just for the community, but for them too.”
Newquay police says it does not foresee any problems with the house.
Inspector Dave Meredith said: "PAS (the operators) have been a very well managed and responsible body.  From the evidence given by the management of other PAS houses in Newquay, I can say that Newquay police have no major concerns about Danesbury House.
"PAS manage the people they have got very effectively.  The fact that they have not got any wardens in an establishment suggests that the people their are low risk as the absence of a warden must be justified."
Action group members are running questionnaires to gauge public opinion, and a public meeting will take place at the Crantock Street WI Hall on January 20.