New overdose prevention site in Vancouver up for debate in council

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver City Council is looking at opening up an overdose prevention site in Yaletown, as the province continues to grapple with a deadly overdose crisis.

Councillor Christine Boyle believes the additional site will help save lives. Given the current overdose crisis that’s claimed so many British Columbians, Boyle says the new OPS will also help educate people.

“We know that these type of spaces save lives, and we’re in a multi-year public health emergency. A toxic drug supply has caused thousands of deaths and we need to be doing everything that we can to make sure that these neighbours and Vancouver residents are not dying,” she tells NEWS 1130.

A staff report suggests the city-owned building, located at Seymour and Helmcken streets, would be the perfect spot to address increased drug activity in the Granville area recorded since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We can give them an opportunity to get back on their feet. These types of services save lives, and they’re lives worth saving. I’m committed to being part of that approach,” Boyle says.

Today, Vancouver city council is set to discuss a permanent overdose prevention site proposed for a city-owned building in Yaletown. @vanessadoban is hearing, amid the growing overdose crisis, prevention sites are key to saving lives. Details this morning on @NEWS1130.

— John Ackermann ???? (@jackermann) October 13, 2020

From other pressing matters, like emergency housing, to some councillors wanting more consultation done in the neighbourhood, Boyel notes there have been some delays with item reaching council.

However, Boyle stresses the delay is costing more lives every day.

“What worries me is what I hear from other councillors about the need to delay this lease in order to have more consultation in the neighbourhood about this particular site, and I feel strongly that we can’t afford to further delay this project,” she explains.

Saying there is value in having conversations with the community, Boyle says these talks should keep happening, especially to help people understand the purpose of such a service, but shouldn’t stand in the way of the new overdose prevention site.

“We can’t delay the site for those conversations. We should be doing them concurrently because this type of health service is needed.”

There have been nearly 1,100 illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. since the beginning of the year.

-With files from Jonathan Szekeres