The province is ordered to open OPS where there is a need for them, because an OPS can reduce the risk of someone dying if they have an overdose.
But it looks like ABC kicked up enough dirt. The NDP have backed off from opening the site. news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Home supports help seniors live independently in their community for longer. It reduces health-care costs and cuts government spending. So why aren't we fully covering it?
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2026/06...
There have been 838 unregulated drug deaths in this neighbourhood over the past decade. OPS have incredible success rates because people are there to immediately provide a medical response if someone stops breathing.
Mayor Ken Sim and Clr Peter Meiszner say the proposed overdose prevention site at 900 Helmcken "is not appropriate for the neighbourhood." This is the area with the second highest death rate from unregulated drugs. If not here, where?
link.lists.vancouver.ca/v/443/81f138...
People who use drugs are our neighbours. They're our friends, our colleagues, our family members. Saying services that can save their life on their worst day is "not appropriate" for a neighbourhood is extremely telling of who ABC is willing to consider a Vancouverite, and who isn't even a citizen.
This is very concerning. BC is still in the middle of a public health emergency that has killed tens of thousands of people, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Harm reduction measures like OPS help keep people alive today, so they can get help tomorrow.
Beautiful and informative videos about HIV from a campaign working to reduce stigma and promote medication which can help infected people live long, healthy, normal lives and not pass an infection (even during unprotected sex).
Science rules. So do these videos.
startinghomefires.ca/index.html
Today at City Hall, a debate on whether or not landlords should be fined for prohibiting air conditioners. Trying to imagine the flipped arguments, if cold was killing hundreds of BCers and landlords were refusing to allow heat to be added the building.
www.biv.com/biv-rss-link...