B.C. health minister says overdose prevention site won't open 'at this time' in downtown Vancouver

File photo of the proposed site for the Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site. Photo by Doug Quan/PNG

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B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne says an overdose prevention site proposed for downtown Vancouver will not be opening at this time.

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In a statement Wednesday evening, Osborne said the government heard concerns from the city and businesses about the proposed site at 900 Helmcken Street.

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Because of this, Vancouver Coastal Health will not proceed with the overdose-prevention site at this location “at this time, and there is currently no planned date for opening,” she said.

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“Vancouver continues to experience the highest rates of unregulated drug deaths in B.C. During this public health emergency, it is critical that people at risk of overdose have access to timely supports and services that save lives and help prevent serious harms, including brain injury,” Osborne said.

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“Vancouver Coastal Health is working to establish overdose-prevention services in Vancouver’s downtown core and recognizes the importance of ensuring these services support both vulnerable people in need of care and the businesses, residents and workers in surrounding neighbourhoods.”

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Business and Residents’ Associations have planned a press conference Thursday morning to address concerns about the lack of consultation regarding the site.

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Laura Ballance, a spokesperson for the associations, said the press conference will go ahead as planned given that the opening has been delayed pending consultation.

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Coastal Health has said it chose the Helmcken location for the Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site after an extensive search, signed a lease beginning June 1 and expected to begin operation soon after. It was meant to replace a site on Howe Street that closed in January.

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Osborne said a mobile overdose-prevention site will continue to operate to provide a limited number of services in the area.

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Earlier this month, Vancouver’s ABC-majority council voted to block the site from opening and directed city staff to use “all tools available to the city” to stop Vancouver Coastal Health’s plan to open a facility downtown.

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Mayor Ken Sim was outspoken in his opposition, saying earlier this month that Vancouver will not support solutions “that fail both those who are struggling and the communities around them.”

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With files from Dan Fumano and Cheryl Chan

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