According to one tenant, people are using drugs in the front entryway of this senior's complex in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

drug use

Non-residents using drugs in senior’s home lobby, tenant association says

Jan 5, 2023 | 5:24 PM

The head of the tenant’s association at Sherman Towers said he saw up to seven drug users with needles and spoons in the lobby of the senior’s complex he lives in.

David Irwin said the incident happened about a month before Christmas.

“I went down and there was seven people in there all sitting on the floor with their spoons and needles, getting ready to load up,” he said. “I said that’s enough. This is our home. This is not a drug store and it’s not a motel and it’s for seniors. We’ve got seniors that are afraid to come out of their apartment because of the traffic that’s out there,”

Irwin said he decided to talk to paNOW because he is frustrated with what he believes is a lack of action by the P.A. Housing Authority to deal with the problem.

He said he asked the authority to do something and suggested security inside the building and updated locks on the doors.

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Irwin wants the tenants that are allowing drug users access to the building to be evicted if they don’t stop, saying all residents are at risk.

“One lady in the building doesn’t leave her apartment at all. Her medication is delivered, her food is delivered. She does not come out of her apartment,” Irwin said.

For a while, Irwin said he tried to provide security himself, saying he takes on responsibility for the safety of the tenants as head of the tenant’s association.

“The needle situation is incredible,” he said. “I’m not a well man myself. I’m a tenant, I shouldn’t be down there doing security, but I was.”

Used needles in front of the door to Sherman Tower, a senior’s residence in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

When he realized that meant the building management didn’t need to hire anyone because he was doing it for free, he backed off but has given the other residents his number in case they need help.

So far, his requests led nowhere, but an incident several days ago at nearby Northcote Manor may prompt a new course of action.

“That’s extreme what happened over there and as far as I’m concerned, it was preventable,” Irwin said of the incident in which an 89-year-old tenant was hospitalized with a fractured skull and brain bleed.

Following the recent assault at Northcote, the authority has called meetings in all three buildings for tenants to discuss concerns.

The authority stated administrators are working with police on possible criminal activity in the three senior buildings.

“The Prince Albert Housing Authority is taking immediate measures to improve security across all three of the apartment complexes, which include contracting security services to provide additional support to tenants and staff,” said Roger Parenteau, executive director of housing operations for Sask. Housing.

“All three complexes are also switching to FOB systems this winter with systems in the process of being installed at two buildings and a system for the third on order,” he said in an emailed statement.

One of the issues is tenants inside the building giving access to people who should not be inside, and Irwin said he has not been successful in convincing the Housing Authority to evict those tenants.

When Irwin approached the non-residents that are using drugs in the building, he noticed a change in demeanour that makes him nervous.

Another tenant recently asked a non-resident to move out of the way as the tenant was trying to go to church and got a shock.

“When she finally got up to go, she had a big butcher knife in her hand,” Irwin said. “It’s gotten worse and it’s gotten to be more of it. I’ve noticed they’re getting more volatile. They’re arguing and one guy spit at me the other day.”

The woman accused of assaulting the Northcote Manor tenant will make her next court appearance Friday in Provincial Court.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com