Hugo Mayers, director of the Salvation Army's emergency housing shelter, yesterday sounded a warning that the facility is being misused and warned that staff is not qualified to handle many of the people who stay there.

Drug addicts, alcoholics and the indigent have made the facility their permanent residence said Mr. Mayers, and he said the shelter does not have the staff to deal with these problems.

Mr. Mayers was speaking at Hamilton Rotary Club's weekly luncheon as part of the Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal.

He said people ended up at the back-of-town facility from many sources, including being admitted by their families, prisons, hospitals, through Police intervention, referrals from churches, other agencies including the Salvation Army's rehabilitation programme, Harbour Light, and from probation services.

Mr. Mayers said the two most unbelievable sources were from the Bermuda Housing Corporation and people who call from overseas to make sure they had a place to stay when they returned home.

And Mr. Mayers said: "We admit that we simply do not have the expertise nor the appropriate human resources to manage, treat and deliver the services that are required in relation to addicted residents in our shelter.'' And he added that this was not a criticism of the centre's staff as they all understand the deficits and shortcomings.

"The healing, therapeutic, coping skills programmes that we deserve to have on site simply are not in place,'' said Mr. Mayers.

And he said that proper training and staff development and people with time, skill and knowledge were urgently needed.

Careful not to make the picture too dismal he said that there were some clients who had "pulled themselves up by the boot straps'' and returned to function productively in the community.

On the other hand, he said there were a few who would like to continue their campaign to convert the shelter into a five-star hotel, while there were others who were gainfully employed, but refused to contribute to their room and board.

And he said residents that call the radio talk shows to complain about the centre are still there.

Shelter now `permanent residence' Mr. Mayers said: "It is not just a matter of poverty that we are dealing with. (It is) the attitudes of people, lack of consideration, and aggression even from people to whom attempts are made to reach and help.'' And he said it was this type of behaviour that puts the Salvation Army into a dilemma.

He said: "We are charged with the responsibility of dealing with people in a caring and compassionate manner. The question is, how do we maintain peace and tranquillity when there is disruption and aggressive behaviour?'' He said many clients were drug abusers and the drug of choice was crack cocaine and increasingly, heroin.

Mr. Mayers said the proximity of the shelter to areas rife with drugs was also a problem as residents often visited these areas in search of their next fix.

When asked by Rotarian W.A. (Toppy) Cowen if people should give to beggars, Mr. Mayers said he would not advise it.

He said the Salvation Army had a programme to feed anyone off the street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and people were also given the chance to refresh themselves and obtain fresh clothes.

So by giving money to beggars, you are most likely contributing to their habit, be it alcohol, tobacco or crack cocaine.

Another Rotarian asked what the percentage of rehabilitation was, and Mr.

Mayers said that the majority of clients had been there for several years.

"It is emergency housing, but has become a permanent residence,'' he said.

And he added that one client had gone between Harbour Light and the Emergency Housing Facility for 19 years.

The average age of clients is 34 years old, although there were a handful in their early 60s.

The centre has an operational cost of $500,000 per year, which he said was bolstered by funds from the Red Shield Appeal.

CHURCH CHU