Ask the BC NDP government, and it will tell you it’s always eager to hear from local residents concerned about its housing and drug programs. But ask the City of Nanaimo, and you’ll hear what it sounds like to be perpetually ignored.

The latest example was this week when council asked Housing Minister Christine Boyle to consider turning a 50-unit supportive housing project on Terminal Avenue into “sober housing” for those wanting to overcome their addictions in a substance-free environment.

“In order to save lives you have to provide safe places for people,” Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog told Global BC.

“And a safe place when you’re trying to remain clean and sober is not to be surrounded by people in active addiction, not to be in a place where drug dealers and others can come and annoy you or take advantage of your vulnerabilities.”

The request originated from residents around the facility, as well as some people inside it, and was endorsed by council. But the BC NDP government in Victoria was quick to assert that it knew better.

“Relapse is often part of recovery,” Boyle

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