close its doors next Sunday are optimistic they will win a reprieve.

On Thursday, His House Ministries met with Health Minister Nelson Bascome, still fresh from his professional work as a drug counsellor, and while he made no promises, they are "encouraged''.

Director Christine Atcheson said she, the houseparents, and a worker have "complete faith'' that Mr. Bascome and Government will do everything possible to help relocate His House.

The Royal Gazette revealed last month the residential treatment centre would have to move from its Hamilton Parish home.

According to a source, neighbours have a "not-in-my-backyard'' syndrome and did not want recovering addicts in the vicinity.

The source also said the owner may need additional income in her old age and may have done all that she could since allowing the group to open in 1993.

It is believed she may have succumbed to pressure from neighbours.

Mrs. Atcheson said: "We were very encouraged by our meeting with Mr. Bascome and his response to us.

"Mr. Bascome said he is aware of the work we have been doing to alleviate the drug problem in Bermuda. In light of that I believe that they will certainly want to see the work we do continue.'' Mrs. Atcheson explained several people at the facility were "so close'' to defeating addiction, she feared relapses if they did not complete the programme.

She added: "We want to continue. That is what we told him. But now it is a matter of emergency.

"We are packing everything but we have nowhere else to go,''she continued.

"Some of them are going to end up in the same environment.'' But His House will continue, she said, adding: "We will continue His House.

We will continue our work visiting the prisons, though.'' His House is the only organisation of its kind allowed into Westgate Correctional Facility Maximum security area.

Its model, St. Stephen's of Hong Kong, is called the most successful Christian based programme in the world.

Also of concern, in addition to the recovering addicts potentially being homeless, the house parents, Sherry and Mike Lima, may also have to find lodging.