Neighbours of a planned overdose prevention site (OPS) in downtown Vancouver that was recently cancelled by the B.C. government say they’re concerned about ad hoc harm reduction services appearing outside the vacant building.
Days after Health Minister Ravi Kahlon confirmed the proposed location at 900 Helmcken Street would not move forward, business owner Denise Meikle said she noticed a table with OPS supplies set up on Hornby Street on Aug. 29.
“I just feel like the wool’s being pulled over our eyes and if these popups are happening, then what is the public safety,” the Salon Origins owner told Global News in an interview.
Meikle said she’s not opposed to life saving services but is troubled by the street disorder she witnesses after people use drugs.
“I’m all for harm reduction. However, what we absorb after, when people are coming out of their high, is the aggression, the violence,” Meikle said.
Jens (Spoons) Petersen, a resident of the Murray Hotel single-room occupancy (SRO) near 900 Helmcken Street, said Saturday’s sidewalk table was offering harm reduction supplies and water to those in need.
“People in this neighbourhood, they just label us, they don’t even give us a chance to be better,” Petersen said. “If we had a place to go, then they wouldn’t see us.”
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Petersen said he’s saddened by the loss of the planned OPS, and believes it will just force drug users back into the alleys and onto the streets.
“If they had a place for people to go, then they’re not on the street, they’re somewhere safe, supervised and using clean stuff,” he told Global News.
RainCity Housing, which holds the lease to operate 900 Helmcken Street, said its focus has been providing outreach services to people needing support, while other community organizations have set up tables to address the significant need for harm reduction and overdose prevention services in the area.
“It feels like someone’s trying to send a signal,” Vancouver’s mayor said Wednesday.
Ken Sim said it’s disappointing and completely inappropriate to see overdose prevention site pop ups organized by a bunch of random individuals.
“I actually think it’s quite reckless and you know, it’s not in line with what the vast majority of residents and businesses and health care professionals want,” the mayor told Global News.
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Vancouver Coastal Health said it was alerted by RainCity to “individuals acting on their own accord distributing harm reduction supplies near 900 Helmcken”, and neither the health authority nor the nonprofit organization had advance notice of the pop up OPS.
“As a health issue, they’re probably right to have a pop up OPS because people are overdosing,” Green councillor and mayoral candidate Pete Fry said Wednesday.
Fry said the goal of the now scrapped OPS was to address public drug use and street disorder in the area.
“I do acknowledge that when they’re not run well they are an impact on neighbourhoods,” Fry told Global News. “There is an opportunity to do this right and there’s an opportunity to ensure that it’s not impacting the public but right now, there’s nothing there, all we have is pop up intervention with folks trying to keep people alive.”
When asked what it has planned for 900 Helmcken for the remainder of the two-year lease, Vancouver Coastal Health said it will work with the Ministry of Health and consult with city stakeholders to develop alternative programming in the building, such as treatment and recovery supports and long-term wellness programs.
Meikle said the status quo – with people suffering, struggling and passed out on the ground – is hard to watch.
“Nothing’s changed,” she said. “These people, they need help.”
Really Doug?? Guess ur the loser
Did you know that a staggering 85% of all refugees coming to Canada are Muslim? Even worse a staggering 100% of the refugees that came to Canada in the 1800’s where white Christians from Europe
Well said Doug , this JV guy is a real loser.
Just back from a round of golf at Cap.
Wow. What surprise. 🙃 It’s funny JV that you think we care about what say too. News Flash! We don’t. It’s an only comment board ya loser! Half the stats I post is just to get a reaction out of you and send you on another one of your spiralling rants. It’s child’s play.
The other half is sharing facts and stats that have been previously reported on this news site to remind people.
But You need to kept talking and bragging to yourself like one those self help guys every morning in the mirror. It’s all you got.
I,I,I 😂 What should you be saying is “I need some mental help”
( regardless JV I won’t stop posting about Eby and 90% of MLAs wanting to amend suspend or repeal DRIPA, or all those new polls, or FN over representing in ODs, Prisons and homelessness by factors of 4x to 6x)
The NDP has made such a lovely crackhead mess out of BC. Every major city has its Azzcrack Row now. Its Fenty Lane. All they need on Fenty Lane is pretty lights for the statues to illuminate the jingle bells hanging out under the azzcracks.
Thanks to Eby and his crew for making what was a paradise into a paradox.
The funniest part is these white nationalist scumbags think I actually care about what they have to say. They sure do care about what I have to say though don’t they 😂😂 I just come on here to string them along so I can laugh hysterically at their triggered desperation. And the best part is the BC NDP and the Liberals in Ottawa will be owning them for years to come and there’s absolutely nothing they can do about it because of voters like me. Damn I love Canada 🇨🇦 😊
I’m so crazy and my multiple-personality disorder is so bad, that my Doug Brekfaust personality is accusing other non-existant people of copying our name and making comments….and then 5 minutes later Doug Brekfaust is using Real Doug Brekfaust and Bob B’s names to make comments and then I post as (Real) Doug B. It’s probably a combination of the personality disorder and syphilis. Doug Brekfaust also still has this delusion that “white history” is still relevant in Canada even though it’s being erased and curriculum is being changed, or whatever that means. Of course, the white trash settlers never owned any land. They just killed off First Nations with their filthy diseases, and europeans stole their land and took over. It looks like whites still run this country though, even though I cry on the internet every day about First Nations and the NDP and “people” like white trash are still, well, white trash.
Wow. That’s some recognisable mental health babbling there . 😂
JV you have gone off the Rez dude!
The ones selling drugs to these people need to be shot dead, thats the only way this is going to stop
I’m so crazy and my multiple-personality disorder is so bad, that my Jay-2 personality is accusing other non-existant people of copying our name and making comments….and then 5 minutes later Jay-2 is using Doug Brekfaust and Bob B’s names to make comments. It’s probably a combination of the personality disorder and syphilis. Jay-2 also still has this delusion that “white history” is being erased and curriculum is being changed, or whatever that means. Of course, the chugs never owned any land. They were just wild animals killing each other, and europeans took over. It looks like whites still run this country though, and “people” like chugs are still, well, chugs. hahahah
Stop giving Narcan for ODs……the number of junkies will reduce themselves to a manageable number
I’m so crazy and my multiple-personality disorder is so bad, that my Doug Brekfaust personality is accusing other non-existant people of copying our name and making comments….and then 5 minutes later Doug Brekfaust is using Real Doug Brekfaust and Bob B’s names to make comments and then he posts as Jay Voorhees. It’s probably a combination of the personality disorder and syphilis. Doug Brekfaust also still has this delusion that “white history” is still relevant in Canada even though it’s being erased and curriculum is being changed, or whatever that means. Of course, the white trash settlers never owned any land. They just killed off First Nations with their filthy diseases, and europeans stole their land and took over. It looks like whites still run this country though, even though I cry on the internet every day about First Nations and the NDP and “people” like white trash are still, well, white trash. hahahah
(I don’t just hate white people, but chinks and pa ki’s as well)
“Vancouver police officer Kalwinder Dosanjh charged over theft of more than $3M”
Probably best friends with Ken Sim
I’m so crazy and my multiple-personality disorder is so bad, that my Doug Breaks personality is accusing other non-existant people of copying our name and making comments….and then 5 minutes later Doug Breakfaust is using Real Doug Brekfaust and Bob B’s names to make comments. It’s probably a combination of the personality disorder and syphilis. Doug Breakfaust also still has this delusion that “white history” is still relevant in Canada even though it’s being erased and curriculum is being changed, or whatever that means. Of course, the white trash settlers never owned any land. They just killed off First Nations with their filthy diseases, and europeans stole their land and took over. It looks like whites still run this country though, even though I cry on the internet every day about First Nations and the NDP and “people” like white trash are still, well, white trash. hahahah
I’m so crazy and my multiple-personality disorder is so bad, that my Jay-2 personality is accusing other non-existant people of copying our name and making comments….and then 5 minutes later Jay-2 is using Doug Brekfaust and Bob B’s names to make comments. It’s probably a combination of the personality disorder and syphilis. Jay-2 also still has this delusion that “white history” is being erased and curriculum is being changed, or whatever that means. Of course, the chugs never owned any land. They were just wild animals killing each other, and europeans took over. It looks like whites still run this country though, and “people” like chugs are still, well, chugs. hahahah
Drugs & Mental Health
The DTES has 2 groups of people: drug addicts and people with mental health issues. The distinction requires different approaches, but the steps below may be applied to those with serious mental health issues too.
Drug Addicts:
As long as the law allows drugs to be used, the DTES will thrive and continue to be a magnet for these people. If the Govt is serious about cleaning up the area and helping this group of people, a few things need to be done.
1. Amend the law – make is unacceptable to be lying in the street in a drugged-out stupor and necessary for that person to be admitted, by law, into a DEDICATED detox facility.
2. Such a facility should be staffed with the necessary qualified people who SPECIALISE in addictions – doctors, nurses, counsellors/social workers, much like a hospital.
3. Once sober, social workers can help recovering addicts find suitable employment and housing, and monitor their progress over time.
The chances of recovery are much higher when the person has undergone detox, is sober and is therefore, more receptive to counselling and help. Overderdose prevention etc is useless because it just propagates drug use; it does nothing to help the individual lead an independent, productive life!
That is pretty funny Doug! What I was going to say is there’s nothing better than seeing the renaming of public spaces, the removal of statues of early European leaders, and ongoing shifts in school curricula. The European settlers will always be remembered as lying thieves just like the Alberta separatists and their pathetic attempt at stealing Alberta from Canada
lsn’t it funny how Canada is 68% white yet the history of the white settlers is slowly being erased in Canada. Future generations of Canadians will be taught in school that the white settlers were fiIthy liars that stole the land from the First Nations people. In other words they’ll be taught the truth and once all of the fabricated white trash history is erased it’s never coming back. 😊👍
Leaving multiple comments doesn’t bother me at. It definitely bothers you though doesn’t it LOL. Even funnier you call someone a phsycho while you’re copying their name and leaving multiple comments praising bigotry and genocide. Typical NAZl white trash commenter. Multiple names but still the same delusional hypocrite. Too funny 😂😂
“Jay Voorhees
September 4, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Hahahah, please don’t think i’m a triggerred psycho. I only posted 6 replies in a row just now because i’m ahhh just sort of bored here and my manager just decided to quit, and I’m a little tired from plunging these toilets in the stalls at McDonald’s. Also, my c o ck looks like a diseased slug because that last chug who sucked it had something nasty. I’m gonna go to Dollarama now an dbuy fake teeth in the toy isle, and make a killing at the chug reserve off Capilano. Too funny!”
Oh look Doug Brekfaust just gave himself away. I had a feeling it was you buddy. Only you could be this f**king pathetic. Not to mention the fact that I’ve already caught you using different names 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hahahah, please don’t think i’m a triggerred psycho. I only posted 6 replies in a row just now because i’m ahhh just sort of bored here and my manager just decided to quit, and I’m a little tired from plunging these toilets in the stalls at McDonald’s. Also, my c o ck looks like a diseased slug because that last chug who sucked it had something nasty. I’m gonna go to Dollarama now an dbuy fake teeth in the toy isle, and make a killing at the chug reserve off Capilano. Too funny!
But please continue LOL
I can take all of you on by myself with basically zero effort. All I do is post basic facts about MAGA Conservatives and point out the fact that you guys are losing terribly when it comes to politics in BC and oh look the federal government is LIBERAL. Damn it’s so much fun to trigger white racists in the Global BC and there’s absolutely nothing they can do about it because they hide behind a screen like bunch of cowards. Too funny!! 😁😁😁😁😁😄😄😄😄😄
“Bc
September 4, 2026 at 9:05 am
Jay you’re a loser buddy … Go beat your drum somewhere else.
No one here’s listening to a dumb piece of racist trash like you”
Oh look another NAZl coward playing victim 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
“Bob B
September 4, 2026 at 12:49 am
Voorhees. Just let us know when you’re done letting us make you look stupid day in day out.”
Yeah look at me I look so stupid posting facts about white people. Isn’t it funny how you racist trailer trash aka white nationalists want to go around talking shlt about FN and immigrants but as soon as someone says anything about white people you start jumping around like toddlers and playing victim. It’s seriously the funniest thing ever. And people like you prove me right every time. Thanks buddy I appreciate it!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
“Jay Voorhees
September 3, 2026 at 8:10 pm
Then again, I guess for every white guy on the streets, there’s about 5 chugs. That’s about 90% of their population. Let’s get these injuns strapped to rick-shaws and make them useful. If you yell out “hey-ya, hey-ya, hey-ya” maybe they run faster? 🤣🤣”
Bla bla bla it must hurt knowing that it’s actually the other way around. Actually most of the junkies in the DTES are white trash losers just like you 🤣🤣
“Veteran Vancouver police officer, KidsPlay founder charged with fraud, theft”
Of course he’s a crooked thief. Most VPD are. Just like Ken Sim and ABC
Jay you’re a loser buddy … Go beat your drum somewhere else.
No one here’s listening to a dumb piece of racist trash like you.
Voorhees. Just let us know when you’re done letting us make you look stupid day in day out.
Here is another JV.
“ First Nations people in British Columbia die from toxic drugs at nearly six times the rate of non-First Nations residents, heavily impacting urban hubs like Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside”
“ First Nations individuals account for roughly 16% to 17.7% of all toxic drug deaths in B.C., despite making up only about 3.3% of the province’s total population”
Over represented yet again.
Comment?!?
Stats and per the NIHC.
“ Indigenous people represent approximately 34% of the unhoused population in Metro Vancouver, while making up only about 2.4% to 3% of the regional populations” Fact!
Over representing as usual.
NIHC = National Indigenous Homelessness Council
So wrong again JV!! 😂 😂
Then again, I guess for every white guy on the streets, there’s about 5 chugs. That’s about 90% of their population. Let’s get these injuns strapped to rick-shaws and make them useful. If you yell out “hey-ya, hey-ya, hey-ya” maybe they run faster? 🤣🤣
Hey troll did you enjoy watching the video? They show that white guy laying on the sidewalk at least 5 times. He’s probably your cousin from the trailer park in Edmonton 🤣🤣
“Jay Voorhees
September 3, 2026 at 6:13 pm
If we were to eliminate all the chugs, we’d eliminate 90% of the drugs and homeless problems in the province. Let’s ship them to new Residential Schools.”
Hey look it’s the white trash troll who can’t handle the truth so he just copies my name and posts a bunch of make believe bullshlt. What a cool guy LOL
If we were to eliminate all the chugs, we’d eliminate 90% of the drugs and homeless problems in the province. Let’s ship them to new Residential Schools.
What the hell is a drug advocate anyways? Sounds like some made up bullshlt to me. Either way Ken Sim and the VPD are too useless to actually do anything about it. It’s all just talk talk talk and zero action. It’s been 4 years since Ken Sim was elected and all he’s managed to do is temporarily clean up Vancouver for the world cup so a bunch of tourists could enjoy their stay in Vancouver. What a f**king clown 🤡🤡🤡
“Maga
September 3, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Hopefully J ODs”
Hopefully you get busted for child porn. It’s just a matter of time
Hopefully J ODs
Brain is Jello, can’t and shouldn’t be saved
Eby’s embrace of extreme gender ideology is most to blame for this unfortunate event.
Damn look at all those white trash junkies in the video
“Anonymous
September 3, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Lived in Vancouver for more than 20 years, drug addicted homeless have ruined this city. Every street looks like east hastings these days”
Stop lying. 95% of the city looks nothing like East Hastings
Jay Voorhees
September 3, 2026 at 4:41 pm
“Jay Voorhees
September 3, 2026 at 2:51 pm
I to live on the street since woodlands closed, I helped with the destruction.”
You’re so inbred you can’t even put a sentence together 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
These folks need “help”, opening up overdose prevention sites is not help, You are enabling them.
You have built a container home for the homeless in Surrey… why not build overdose prevention site there too. Get them OFF the streets, into a program.
Should be easy enough to shut down.
I am going to assume there is some by-law against this or permitting requirements. Call it in. Make the city do its job.
You know this group has deliberately set up here to cause maximum disruption. They could have set up anywhere else they wanted and probably not made a scene.
WHY ??? LET THEM ALL O/ D !!! GOOD RIDDANCE
Lived in Vancouver for more than 20 years, drug addicted homeless have ruined this city. Every street looks like east hastings these days
I to live on the street since woodlands closed, I helped with the destruction.
“Jay Voorhees
September 3, 2026 at 2:37 pm
Look at those dying chugs!! Too funny!!”
Look at your desperation!! Too funny!!
If you just have to have drug dens how about on police, fire or hospital property?
Look at those dying chugs!! Too funny!!
Waste of time and money.