The Downtown Eastside is a strong and resilient community despite increasing homelessness, deaths from overdoses, and lack of safe housing affordable for people on income assistance and pensions.
We showed North America the way with InSite, it was a model for how to support people and communities, save lives and get people into treatment and towards better health. We can do the same now with the opioid crisis.
These are our neighbours, and for a city as wealthy as ours, it is shameful that people continue to die. It is imperative that we take action and save lives.
This neighbourhood needs the support and resources to implement community-driven, health-focussed, initiatives to significantly improve the wellness, safety, and quality of life for those struggling with chronic poverty, lack of safe, permanent affordable housing, a dangerous illegal drug supply, and lack of employment.
As Mayor, I will form an emergency task force to work with the community, and immediately implement achievable actions to improve the health and quality of life of DTES residents.