Vaughn Palmer: B.C. government needs to ensure overdose sites don't wreck neighbourhoods

Victoria Police Chief Fiona Wilson, left, walks with Health Minister Josie Osborne. Photo by Government of B.C.

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VICTORIA — Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, his council majority, city residents and businesses have good reason to doubt the latest plan to relocate a much-travelled overdose prevention site in downtown Vancouver.

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The site operated for three years on Seymour Street, giving rise to a growing backlash and two lawsuits over its contribution to crime and disorder in the Yaletown neighbourhood.

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After the city refused to renew the Seymour lease in early 2024, the overdose prevention site moved to Howe Street.

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Vancouver police began noting an 11 per cent increase in calls to the block on Howe where the site was located, as well as an added need for patrols on foot and on bikes.

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The site had to vacate that location in January of this year, after more complaints and a plea from the building owner.

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Since then, it has been operating as a mobile facility in the downtown, providing limited services.

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Then came the recent news that Vancouver Coastal, the regional health authority, had signed a lease for a third location, in the 900-block Helmcken, near the Wall Centre and St. Paul’s Hospital.

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That prompted Sim and his council majority to take a stand, fearing a repeat of what happened on Seymour and on Howe.

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Last week, council approved Sim’s urgent motion to “use all tools available” to prevent the opening on Helmcken.

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City staff were to conduct a “comprehensive review” of permits and approvals to make sure they comply with city bylaws and rules and consider revoking permits or licences if “legally supportable.”

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“Two overdose prevention sites in the neighbourhood have failed,” Sim told council. “They have created street disorder, safety concerns, open drug use, significant challenges for residents and businesses.”

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The overdose prevention site on Seymour Street in Yaletown in May 2023. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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He said council’s job is hold the provincial government accountable and “on the health-care file, the province is failing miserably.”

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The mayor noted that the province had failed to deliver commitments to provide several hundred treatment beds.

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“So, we are asking the province to help by doing their job,” Sim said. “We need a balanced approach, when it comes to care, recovery and public safety.”

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Next day, Health Minister Josie Osborne told reporters that Sim “doesn’t have all the facts” regarding the proposal. “But we will push forward, and we need to have these services in place.”

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She followed up Thursday with a ringing defence of the virtues of overdose prevention sites.

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“They are literally life-saving services. They provide a safe place for people who use drugs to go. With our increasingly toxic supply of drugs that we’re seeing on the street, being able to provide care to somebody as quickly as possible in the event of an overdose is incredibly important.