A successful drug treatment home may have to close its doors in January due to what one source called the "not-in-my-backyard syndrome''.

His House Ministries has been ordered to move out of its Sleepy Hollow, Hamilton Parish, premises by the end of next month.

And it is claimed the move may force recovering addicts back into the drug world.

While the director of His House would not be drawn into the reasons for the forced closure, her main concern yesterday were the men at critical stages in their new lives.

And newly-appointed Health Minister Nelson Bascome said although he was aware of minor problems that His House was having, nothing official had reached his desk.

"The concern is several men have not completed their programmes,'' Christine Atcheson, His House Ministry's director said. "They're doing fine, but they do not have all the tools to cope.'' Formed in 1993, His House takes in several addicts into a private home where they are ministered to and supervised as they fight their addictions.

And its programme is so well respected, it is the only organisation allowed into the maximum security section of Westgate prison.

During the early stages of this intervention, the men are isolated from their families and their only contact is with people in the house.

Mr. Bascome -- who recently left his job as an addiction counsellor with the Salvation Army -- said he had heard from other counsellors that there were problems brewing with His House.

He added: "I don't know what is happening now. I have not heard from them officially now that I am minister.'' One source who asked not to be named told The Royal Gazette the owner of the property needed an income in her old age and she had succumbed to subtle pressure from neighbours who do not want recovering addicts living next door.

"The neighbours have the NIMBY complex,'' the source said. "They have made minor complaints.

"The last one was that it did not have special planning permission to operate and Planning gave tacit approval but it has not been enough to save it. No one is being bad in this, but it is just the circumstances.

"These complaints have been as simple as complaining about the men burning off some steam by playing basketball in the yard.'' The source added: "The landowner, a kind and Christian lady, has done more than her share but she is getting tired. They are going to be homeless next year. '' The source continued: "The courts, Government, and the various counsellors are aware of the successes of His House Ministry. Although it is not for everyone, it is a necessary service. The concerns are unfounded.'' Mrs. Atcheson said: "For six years we have lived in peace with the people on Crawl Hill. We don't want to point the finger or accuse anybody.

"We are a Christian-based organisation and our whole thrust has been to fill a hole and needs in Bermuda.

"His House is for men who seriously want to get off drugs,'' she said. "We do not want to step on toes. We just want to help people.'' The ministry is based on a Hong Kong ministry, the St. Stephen's Society, and takes in heroin and cocaine addicts.

St. Stephen's is "basically the most successful Christian-based programme in the world,'' she said.

Mrs. Atcheson added: "The core of our involvement is to restore people to God and restoring the vision and purpose in their lives. It is a holistic approach.'' Former His House resident Anthony Webb said he was disappointed with the news that the centre would have to move and may close.

"My concern is there are men there that do not have a real safe environment to go to,'' Mr. Webb said. "In all, I have been involved with it for more than two years and it really changed my life.'' He added: "It is not just getting a religion, it is about changing the total life of a person,'' Mr. Webb said. "We are going to lose the best thing for stopping drug use.''