None of my last 5 patients who WANTED tx have been able to get a spot within a month

I asked someone who is currently detoxing about how he stated using drugs and why. #bcpoli

Confining people against their will due to their difficult relationship with drug use is incompatible with intn'l human rights standards Sad to see people's lives & rights put at risk for electoral gain. #CareIsNotCoerced #SupportDontPunish Ref: idpc.net/publications/2…

There are around 30,000 Mental Health Act apprehensions of around 20,000 people each year in BC. That's the highest rate of all provinces in Canada. We are already relying heavily on involuntary care. We need to examine whether it is effective. bc.cmha.ca/news/involunta…

BC Green Leader @SoniaFurstenau announcing party's plan for toxic drug crisis. Includes: 1. Expand regulated Rx alternatives to toxic illicit drugs, 2. regulate treatment and recovery programs, create database to track outcomes, 3. Education and preventative programs in schools

BC's former Chief Coroner writes how politicians there will say anything for votes with evidence-free populist ideas. BC pushes involuntary care when voluntary care is virtually inaccessible. Violating Charter rights will not end the drug crisis. timescolonist.com/opinion/commen…

Was just interviewing someone at an overdose prevention site in Vancouver's DTES. Someone sitting near us overheard, joined in the convo. When I was done with the interview, spoke with second man.

I asked him how he felt reflecting on the last six weeks and this was his answer. Sharing because it was another gut-punch conversation that adds context to our drug crisis.

This thread seems to be resonating w/ ppl. Stories like this are very common, sadly. Heroin/down often described as feeling like a warm hug - that everything momentarily feels okay, even good, despite horrific circumstances. Not to justify drug use, but helps in understanding.

'If Smokey can do it, I can do it too.' British Columbians heading to Thailand for addiction treatment vancouversun.com/news/british-c…

#NEW: Doctors trying to set up volunteer OPS outside Royal Jubilee Hospital told to leave hospital grounds by security and Island Health reps. Docs say this is a life saving intervention that’d also address in hospital drug use. Story TK for Filter | harm reduction journalism

'Boundless care and compassion': Trey Helten was on a mission to help others in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside vancouversun.com/news/obituary-…

For those wanting ways to support Trey through donation. He was passionate about doing murals in the DTES and specifically a big new mural wall on Hastings. Please buy gift cards at Beat Street and write “for Trey” and it will go towards buying the paint beatstreet.ca/products/gift-…

Support Treys dream for the Balmoral mural by buying DTES artist collective some paint at beatstreet or send a donation to [email protected] below is another one of Treys legacy projects. Chris Ferguson Kareem Allam Karm Sumal The Network Hub beatstreet.ca/products/gift-…

What a great tribute by Claire Rattée for Trey. He would have loved it. The Network Hub Lorraine Lowe Dan Fumano Jean Swanson Pete Fry

There will be a Zoom link available for Trey’s memorial on Saturday. The link will be live by 11. Please share. us06web.zoom.us/j/86585903227?… Sarah Blyth - Gerszak The Network Hub Kareem Allam

Such a deeply touching tribute from The Tyee Sarah Blyth - Gerszak Kareem Allam The Network Hub thetyee.ca/News/2025/05/0…

This is really true for many people who knew Trey.

We are seeing an increase in Overdoses and death by Overdose in the DTES. Unfortunately that usually means that the general drug supply has taken a turn for the worse. This will likely be reflected in the data.

Beautiful letter from the Vancouver Humane Society regarding Trey's lifesaving support of DTES pets. OPS pet program continues to help animals in need. Chris Ferguson Russell Maynard