A grieving Surrey mom is demanding answers about regulation and oversight of recovery houses, following the overdose death of her son at a Lower Mainland facility.

Maggie Plett said she couldn香蕉视频直播檛 believe the conditions she witnessed when she went to pick up her son Zach香蕉视频直播檚 belongings hours after learning he香蕉视频直播檇 died last December.

香蕉视频直播淚 went over to the house to collect his things. I香蕉视频直播檓 glad I did, but it was brutal,香蕉视频直播� Plett told Peace Arch News.

香蕉视频直播淚 wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 let a dead animal rot in that place. There was mould on his bed sheets. I香蕉视频直播檝e never seen anything like this. The roommate was already wearing a pair of his shoes.香蕉视频直播�

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Plett said 21-year-old Zach was found face-down on his bed at around 4 p.m. on Dec. 15, and, judging by the time of death pinpointed by the coroner 香蕉视频直播� between 9 a.m. and noon 香蕉视频直播� had been dead for hours before anyone noticed.

She wants to know why, in a facility that香蕉视频直播檚 purporting to be helping people recover from addiction, no one thought to check on Zach; where he was, or if he was OK. And if they did, why no one recognized that he needed help.

香蕉视频直播淢y son would香蕉视频直播檝e been better off homeless,香蕉视频直播� Plett said. 香蕉视频直播淎t least he would香蕉视频直播檝e been on the street, somebody would香蕉视频直播檝e found him.香蕉视频直播�

Troubled recovery homes 香蕉视频直播� both regulated and unregulated 香蕉视频直播� are not a new issue in Surrey. Five years ago, city officials shut down more than 100 unregulated operations in a seven-month period, and continued to investigate dozens more.

While the overall situation has reportedly 香蕉视频直播渟ignificantly香蕉视频直播� improved, and efforts of a committee formed two years ago to tackle problem properties continue, staying on top of it remains an ongoing challenge.

香蕉视频直播淚n about the past year 香蕉视频直播� a little over a year 香蕉视频直播� we香蕉视频直播檝e had 87 investigations that were initiated against alleged unregistered recovery or rooming houses,香蕉视频直播� City of Surrey bylaw services manager Kim Marosevich said last week.

Of those, 26 were not deemed to be operating as a recovery or rooming house; and 28 that were found to be violating city rules voluntarily ceased operating at the direction of bylaw officers, Marosevich said.

香蕉视频直播淭hat leaves us with 33 open files, where we are continuing to work with the property owner or agent to figure out how to bring the property into compliance.香蕉视频直播�

The city currently has five open investigations involving licensed recovery homes.

Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bob Keay, a member of the aforementioned committee, also acknowledged that problems continue.

香蕉视频直播淚 understand that there are some families that have had some tragedy because of these rooming houses,香蕉视频直播� Keay said.

香蕉视频直播淥bviously, we香蕉视频直播檙e always looking to try to find ways to rectify this concern.香蕉视频直播�

Marosevich said the city has 香蕉视频直播渁 fairly well-established relationship香蕉视频直播� with its 55 regulated operators. She acknowledged that conditions described by Plett have been noted by bylaw officers 香蕉视频直播渂oth in places that are operating as alleged recovery homes and places that are simply operating as rooming houses.香蕉视频直播�

Gifted student with a contagious laugh

Zach Plett grew up in Ladner with his two sisters, Callie and Cassie. Callie was two years older; Cassie, two years younger. As a kid, Zach was smart, kind, athletic and popular. He played rep hockey and high-level baseball, and did well in school.

For reasons his mom still doesn香蕉视频直播檛 understand 香蕉视频直播� but said may have been related to mental-health struggles (yet another aspect of Zach香蕉视频直播檚 life where his family feels existing resources failed him) 香蕉视频直播� Zach started getting into drugs at age 15.

香蕉视频直播淗e was really smart, straight-A student, gifted 香蕉视频直播� especially in mathematics,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 know what happened.香蕉视频直播�

Tributes in the months after Zach died describe his kindness and patience, his contagious laughter and the closeness he had with his mother.

Callie gave PAN a copy of what she shared with friends and family who attended a service held last January in Zach香蕉视频直播檚 honour. It opens with the attribute she loved most about her brother: his laugh.

It 香蕉视频直播渘ever faltered,香蕉视频直播� no matter how dark things got for him, she wrote.

香蕉视频直播淚t was always a glimpse into who Zach really was.香蕉视频直播�

Callie described Zach as loyal and protective of those he cared about; someone who valued family above all else.

香蕉视频直播淏ut, I香蕉视频直播檓 not going to sugar coat things,香蕉视频直播� she continued.

香蕉视频直播淔or the past seven years or so, Zach struggled every single day. He constantly battled a darkness that many of us couldn香蕉视频直播檛 even imagine, and I think the fact that he survived and accomplished so much in his twenty-one years is an incredible feat.香蕉视频直播�

She described the overdose crisis 香蕉视频直播� which last year killed 1,514 people in B.C., 212 of those in Surrey (including Zach and at least three of his friends) 香蕉视频直播� as 香蕉视频直播渁n epidemic.香蕉视频直播�

BC Coroners香蕉视频直播� Service officials estimate eight deaths have occurred in registered private treatment or unregistered facilities since 2015.

In the first three months of this year, Surrey logged 33 illicit-drug overdose deaths.

According to data compiled through toxicology reports, fentanyl was detected in 85 per cent of the 2018 deaths, up from 82 per cent in 2017.

Zach, too, died from a fentanyl overdose, and it was learning that detail last month that prompted his mom to go public with his story. The coroner told Plett that the amount of the opioid in Zach香蕉视频直播檚 system wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 have killed someone who was using it on a regular basis, as Zach once did.

香蕉视频直播淢y son hadn香蕉视频直播檛 used fentanyl in six months,香蕉视频直播� Plett said.

香蕉视频直播楧on香蕉视频直播檛 worry about it, mom香蕉视频直播�

Zach had only been back in Surrey 香蕉视频直播� a decision Plett said she had not supported due to the prevalence of fentanyl and other opioids in the city 香蕉视频直播� for about a week when he died. Prior to his return, he香蕉视频直播檇 been in Gimli, Man., where he attended what his mom describes as an 香蕉视频直播渁wesome香蕉视频直播� rehabilitation centre, making gains in his battle to get a handle on his addiction.

But after that program 香蕉视频直播� and a brief relapse, followed by another month in the treatment centre 香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播渉e missed home, he wanted to come home,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Due to his addiction and the 香蕉视频直播渞eally rocky road香蕉视频直播� it had put the family on for so many years, Zach knew he couldn香蕉视频直播檛 stay with his mom at her townhome, and the two agreed he would go to a recovery house.

Plett said she got the name and phone number for a facility in Surrey from someone she thought she could trust. He told her to e-transfer $950 to the society, and that Zach would be helped to get on social assistance, which would cover fees for his stay going forward.

Later that evening, Plett said Zach called her to say he香蕉视频直播檇 been taken to a different home 香蕉视频直播� a six-bedroom house in North Surrey, packed with 18 men who shared two bathrooms, only one of which was functioning properly. He also described black mould, Plett said.

There was some structure, at least 香蕉视频直播� residents had a schedule to follow, around chores, breakfast, when to wake up.

Zach asked his mom to bring him a clean blanket and pillow, which she did. That brief visit was the last time Plett saw her son.

The next day, he called to tell her he was being kicked out for 香蕉视频直播渃ausing problems,香蕉视频直播� which Plett learned was due to Zach香蕉视频直播檚 disclosures to her regarding conditions at the house.

香蕉视频直播淭hey told Zach you香蕉视频直播檙e not to talk about this house outside these walls,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Dropped off at another facility, a few blocks west of Queen Elizabeth Secondary, Zach told his mom the conditions were no better, save for the fact he was allowed to keep his phone.

香蕉视频直播淚 said, 香蕉视频直播榃hat香蕉视频直播檚 it like? Any better?香蕉视频直播� He said, 香蕉视频直播業t香蕉视频直播檚 the same. Don香蕉视频直播檛 worry about it, mom.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淗e was dead two days later.香蕉视频直播�

The evening before he died, a Friday, Zach called to tell his mom that he and his roommate were going to a recovery meeting. Plett香蕉视频直播檚 confident he went, as she found signed paperwork amongst his belongings that confirmed his attendance. How long he and the roommate were there, if they went anywhere before returning to the recovery home and exactly what they did before Zach crawled into bed 香蕉视频直播� one woman at the house reported the pair were using until around 5 a.m. Dec. 15 香蕉视频直播� remain among Plett香蕉视频直播檚 unanswered questions.

The dinnertime call was the last time Plett spoke to her son. Around the same time the following day, her phone rang again, only this time, it was a police officer on the other end of the line.

香蕉视频直播淭hey told me they needed to speak to me, so I knew,香蕉视频直播� Plett said, holding Zach香蕉视频直播檚 pillow in her lap.

香蕉视频直播楳y son should never have died there香蕉视频直播�

To this day, Plett doesn香蕉视频直播檛 know who received the $950 she transferred, or what it paid for.

Why no one had checked on Zach and how it is that the recovery house where he died could be operating with the conditions she witnessed and no apparent enforcement, for Plett, is beyond comprehension.

香蕉视频直播淚 want to know why those places are funded by government,香蕉视频直播� she said.

The home where Zach died is on the province香蕉视频直播檚 Assisted Living Registry, which is required of publicly subsidized and private-pay residences that meet the definition of such residences under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act. According to the province香蕉视频直播檚 website, the mandate of the registrar is 香蕉视频直播渢o protect the health and safety of assisted living residents.香蕉视频直播�

According to the ALR, there are currently three 香蕉视频直播榮ubstantiated complaints香蕉视频直播� against the site where Zach died.

The two most recent files, updated May 8, cite non-compliance with regard to staff skills and safe site management; residents香蕉视频直播� access to information about the residence, supports and services prior to entering; and psychosocial supports that assist in long-term recovery.

The third file, dating back to November, cites non-compliance in providing a 香蕉视频直播渟afe, secure and sanitary environment香蕉视频直播� for residents; safely prepared and nutritious meals; and more.

Marosevich confirmed the City of Surrey has seven investigations on file against the same house. The last active file was in October of last year, and there are no open investigations at this time, she said.

Marosevich said she couldn香蕉视频直播檛 elaborate on details of the complaints, but emphasized that the city primarily deals with issues surrounding external concerns, such as unsightly property and noise.

香蕉视频直播淗aving a complaint isn香蕉视频直播檛 necessarily validation of an issue, or that there香蕉视频直播檚 been enforcement action taken,香蕉视频直播� she added.

Complaints regarding operations or programming should be directed to the province, she said, however, any made to the city would 香蕉视频直播渃ertainly generate a file香蕉视频直播� that could result in a parallel investigation.

Marosevich said it surprised her to learn of the circumstances surrounding Zach香蕉视频直播檚 death occurring in a recovery home that is both ALR-registered and licensed by the city.

香蕉视频直播淚t does. I香蕉视频直播檓 terribly sorry for him and his family,香蕉视频直播� she said.

As of May 27, the site remained one of the city香蕉视频直播檚 licensed operators, although Marosevich said the list is 香蕉视频直播渄efinitely in flux right now.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭here are several that have licences that the province has currently removed the registration,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淲e are in the process of open investigations for those.香蕉视频直播�

One challenge in cancelling any such licence, she noted, is the people who are using the facility. A transition plan is needed 香蕉视频直播渟o they don香蕉视频直播檛 end up in a worse situation,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 still people who need to find places to live,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Plett香蕉视频直播檚 boyfriend 香蕉视频直播� who asked to not be identified 香蕉视频直播� said it香蕉视频直播檚 unconscionable what Zach and others like him are subjected to, simply for profit.

香蕉视频直播淭hese places that are out there, they香蕉视频直播檙e saying they香蕉视频直播檙e there to help. And they香蕉视频直播檙e not,香蕉视频直播� he said, describing the house where Zach died as 香蕉视频直播渁n unbelievable dump,香蕉视频直播� and the fact that no one had checked on him as 香蕉视频直播渞idiculous.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淲here香蕉视频直播檚 the check and balance? There seems to be nothing,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a great money-making thing,香蕉视频直播� he added. 香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 always another addict.香蕉视频直播�

Plett said she plans to take her concerns to her MP, 香蕉视频直播渟ooner than later.香蕉视频直播�

She also continues to wrestle with guilt around her son香蕉视频直播檚 death. May 15 marked the five-month anniversary and 香蕉视频直播渋t feels like yesterday,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 sorry that I made my son go to a place like that. I thought he was exaggerating.

香蕉视频直播淢y son should never have died there.香蕉视频直播�

Clear guidelines exist

In B.C., recovery houses must be registered with the province through the Assisted Living Registry 香蕉视频直播� which has 香蕉视频直播渧ery clear guidelines香蕉视频直播� around health and safety, services to residents and staff conduct 香蕉视频直播� and licensed through their respective municipalities, where jurisdiction revolves around property use.

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The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction provides registered homes with per diem funding of $30.90 per resident.

In 2016, the City of Surrey capped its allowed number of such facilities at 55. The ALR currently shows 50 registered sites in Surrey, a discrepancy Surrey bylaw services manager Kim Marosevich said is explained by the fact the city would require two operations in a duplex, for example, to have separate licences, even if the same operator was running them, while the province would consider the duplex as one operation.

Marosevich described the current incidence of encountering operations that are neither registered nor licensed as 香蕉视频直播渇airly rare.香蕉视频直播�

At the same time, bylaw officers have 香蕉视频直播渁bsolutely香蕉视频直播� seen conditions like those described by Plett.

香蕉视频直播淣ot that long ago, maybe two months ago, we had eight properties in total where, essentially, the property owners had an agent managing the property on their behalf, and the agent put a bunch of people in properties that are slated for demolition,香蕉视频直播� Marosevich said.

香蕉视频直播淲e had香蕉视频直播� situations where the hydro was turned off and people were living in these properties, and the property owners were unaware of what was happening because they had hired an agent.

香蕉视频直播淪o, the agent was taking money from these tenants, essentially, and not paying the bills香蕉视频直播� just collecting the revenues. It ended up taking almost a month to find appropriate housing through social-service connections for 33 people, that were living in squalor.香蕉视频直播�

Marosevich noted that in the described circumstance, seniors comprised the majority of the affected residents.

香蕉视频直播淧eople who are often the most vulnerable people in our communities are the ones that are subject to this victimization.香蕉视频直播�

Ensuring such residents have a safe place to go is a factor in dealing with problem operations, she said.

South Surrey-White Rock MP Gordie Hogg said recovery houses that exist to simply prey on addicts 香蕉视频直播渘eed to be exposed.香蕉视频直播�

Marosevich said it香蕉视频直播檚 challenging to find appropriate housing for people in need of recovery and 香蕉视频直播渟hocking香蕉视频直播� that operators who don香蕉视频直播檛 have their clients香蕉视频直播� best interests at heart are receiving funding that could potentially benefit those providing high-level programming and services.

Hogg and Marosevich both emphasized the importance of reporting sketchy operations.

香蕉视频直播淏usiness inspectors have to be aware, neighbours have to report,香蕉视频直播� Hogg said.

Marosevich also cautioned property owners who enlist agents to manage their properties.

香蕉视频直播淏e aware, be clear, know what is happening on your property,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淏ecause at the end of the day, you are responsible for it, and we will find you.香蕉视频直播�

tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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