Josie Osborne, the Minister of Health, has issued a statement regarding the potential overdose-prevention site for downtown Vancouver.

“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,” said the statement.

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Vancouver Coastal Health is working to establish an overdose-prevention site in the downtown core at 900 Helmcken Street.

“Vancouver Coastal Health…recognizes the importance of ensuring these services support both vulnerable people in need of care and the businesses, residents, and workers in surrounding neighbourhoods.”

There has been controversy since the opening was announced.

Mayor Ken Sim has voiced his opposition to the site and stated he would direct staff at council to “use all tools available” to prevent the opening of the site.

He also stated that he was in opposition to any overdose-prevention sites in Vancouver.

Tools he alluded to using included “reviewing permitting, business licensing, and past agreements.”

“We, along with the Ministry of Health and Vancouver Coastal Health, are committed to taking steps to fully engage with stakeholders and community ahead of any new site opening. Vancouver Coastal Health will not proceed with the overdose-prevention site at 900 Helmcken St. at this time, and there is currently no planned date for opening.”

Despite the province not moving forward at this point, Osborne states that they will work with Vancouver to get a site opened for the health and safety of all.

“The province is committed to working collaboratively with the City of Vancouver, local businesses and community partners to ensure people can access life-saving services, while addressing concerns raised by the community and supporting safe, healthy neighbourhoods for everyone. The mobile overdose-prevention site will continue to operate to provide a limited number of services in the area.”

Leslie McBain of Moms Stop the Harm is worried about those who are actively in addiction and use from the toxic drug supply. She states that these sites help save lives.

“My initial take on this announcement is that people will die. We know that people, vulnerable people, and people who are living with addiction are using are using overdose prevention sites and safe consumption sites with great success, people who are living with addiction or living within the toxic drug market.”

McBain questions the delay and is worried about the inherent risk.

“It is exactly the opposite of what we should, given that people who are in addiction, who are being forced to use the toxic drug market, and then withholding certain harm reduction or safety procedures such as a safe consumption site, it’s putting them more at risk. Why would we do that?”

“We at Mum Stop the Harm wish and would like to see more harm reduction sites, more safe consumption sites, more pilot projects that will keep people who need it using safe,” said McBain