ERROR RG P4 19.12.2000 An article in Saturday's Royal Gazette refers to St. George's Common Councillor Ed Benevides as Councellor ; Mr. Benevides is not a drug councellor.

Plans to open a $1.5 million halfway house for recovering drug addicts has met fierce opposition from people living nearby, who claimed they were not informed.

Residents living around the Lily Park Lane area of St. George's said they were never consulted by Focus Counselling Service and only heard about it when it appeared in the news.

Helen Branche, who lives directly behind the centre, which will be called Jerry's House, fear it will result in a lot of strange faces descending on the area, and even an increase in crime.

Mrs. Branche said: "I think it is terrible that we were not once consulted on this issue - not even a leaflet through the door.

"The first I heard about it was on the news last night. This is a residential area and a lot of people in this area don't want the halfway house here.

"There will be strange people around, and it could lead to an increase in crime.

"Why does everybody want to put these centres in St. George's? We already have the Woodshop, the Co-Ed Correctional Facility, and the Prison Farm.

"This is supposed to be a World Heritage site. It is ridiculous.'' However, a very embarrassed and apologetic President of Focus, Rory Gorman, said a public meeting was held to inform residents on Thursday night, but poor communication meant nobody attended.

He said it was never the intention of the charity to keep residents in the dark, and the four Focus representatives who had turned up on Thursday were bitterly disappointed by the poor attendance.

Mr. Gorman said: "We want the community on board, we want them to support us and we want them to be fully informed, which is why we arranged this meeting.

"Counsellor Ed Benevides had originally come to us with concerns about the site, and with him we arranged to have the meeting.

"He said he would take care of informing people, so we expected everyone to be there on Thursday. We were told not to put up posters and drop leaflets, but that he would do it personally.

Focus rehab centre under fire in St. George's "However, it seems he could not get hold of some people, and many others could not attend because of children's Christmas events and shopping.

"We are very embarrassed about it - it was not our intention. I personally am very incensed. We never tried to deceive anyone.

"What we plan to do now is hold regular meetings with residents - the first soon after Christmas. And this time, we will ensure that people know about it.

"I am sure when they hear what we have to say, they will realise that the centre will not pose a problem to residents.'' Mr. Benevides said he was acting just as a member of the community, rather than a counsellor, when he got interested in the Focus plans.

But he said the meeting was only agreed at the start of the week and three days was not enough time to inform people and give them notice to attend.

He added: "There was only myself and Mayor of St. George's Henry Hayward who turned up.

"Focus have already purchased the building, so the meeting was just to inform the people about the plans. Focus was trying to get information to the public and to reassure them that there was no need for panic.

"People have a lot of views, but they don't know everything. Next time we will be more organised and ensure people are informed.'' Another resident in Lily Park Lane, who did not wish to be named, said he would be organising meetings in a bid to stop the plans going-ahead.

He added: "I'm totally against it. I have children around and I don't want to be looking out of my yard at this centre.

"How come this building has already been bought and Focus is talking about it as though everything is certain? We should have been informed.

"I moved to this area because it was peaceful and quiet. All the neighbours get on well. We don't want it spoilt.'' Work will begin in the middle of next year to transform the former Cable and Wireless building into a residential centre, where about 20 men at a time can slowly begin to integrate back into society after coming clean from drink and drugs.

They will work, pay rent and bills, and assist in the maintenance of the centre, while receiving continued counselling, support and advice under the watchful eye of Focus staff who will be permanently on the site.

Only those people who have successfully completed Focus's 90-day programme will be eligible to live there.

The building has cost $850,000 to buy and is expected to open sometime during 2002.