STRAIGHT TALK

DTES FENTANYL PATROLS EXPAND TO WEST END

The city’s successful peer-operated DTES bike patrols to combat the opioid-overdose crisis have been expanded to the West End. (Also, two Straight staffers nab prestigious journalism awards.)

Since November 2016, teams on bicycles have patrolled the Downtown Eastside, collecting used needles, teaching people how to use naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose, and responding to overdoses themselves.

The program, an initiative of the nonprofit Portland Hotel Society (PHS) called Spikes on Bikes, has performed so well that beginning this Friday (May 12), it’s expanding into Vancouver’s West End.

Christopher Van Veen is an urban health planner for Vancouver and city hall’s point person on the overdose crisis. In a telephone interview, he said that deaths attributed to illicit drugs remain at near-record levels.

“Every week, there are a lot of overdose incidents and quite a few deaths in the downtown core,” Van Veen told the Straight. “Unlike the Downtown Eastside, where there are lots of good interventions—like the overdose-prevention sites and a pretty well networked population of peers in the streets who look out for each other—those living in the downtown core are a little bit more isolated and don’t have the same level of services available to them.”

He said that’s why Spikes on Bikes teams will be deployed to patrol the streets and alleys of the West End.

Delivering a more general update on the crisis, Van Veen said the number of fatal overdoses in Vancouver declined in January and February but then began to climb again. And even during the dip post–new Year’s, he added, deaths remained way above where they were a year ago.

“Catastrophically bad,” is how Van Veen described the situation today. “Much worse than in April, when the [provincial] crisis was declared. So we’re not out of the woods in any way.”

According to the latest stats from city hall, the Downtown Eastside produces a lot more 911 calls for overdoses than the city centre. However, a higher percentage of overdoses recorded in the city centre turn fatal.

From January 1 to April 30, there were 1,645 overdose calls from the Downtown Eastside, of which four percent ended in a death. During the same period, the city centre recorded 337 emergency calls for overdoses, of which eight percent involved a death.

According to a May 4 city release, there have been 141 fatal overdoses in Vancouver so far this year. From 2001 to 2010, the annual average was 57 deaths.

Coco Culbertson, PHS head of housing, community, and peer development, told the Straight that West End bike patrols will focus initially on needle recovery, sweeping parks, areas surrounding schools, and similar public spaces. “And doing some community outreach to explain what we’re doing and why we’re there,” she added.

In the Downtown Eastside, Spikes on Bikes is staffed entirely by peers—the government’s term for past and present drug users. Culbertson said that has helped ensure the program is as accessible as possible. Its expansion into the West End will therefore involve hiring peers from that neighbourhood.

“We’ve been chatting with harm-reduction service providers in the West End, downtown, and the Granville South area, and we’re hoping to recruit people who are living and using in the West End,” she said.

For now, the teams will ride from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but hours may change in response to needs.

According to PHS, between November 18, 2016, when the first patrol went out, and the end of March, Spikes on Bikes teams trained 795 people to use naloxone, reversed 61 overdoses, and recovered more than 38,000 dirty needles from the streets of the Downtown Eastside.

STRAIGHT

The horrific impact of the fentanyl crisis is now obvious to most British Columbians.

With 931 fatal illicit-drug overdoses in the province in 2016, it’s been a calamity for families, communities, and first responders who have been pushed to their limits for more than a year.

Ever-curious Straight reporter Travis Lupick has been on this story from its earliest stages, spending countless hours speaking to a stunning number of sources to understand and then draw public attention to the issue.

And for a special project last fall, he was accompanied by Straight photojournalist and videographer Amanda Siebert for a detailed examination of how average folks in the Downtown Eastside were responding to the Grim Reaper stalking their neighbourhood.

Lupick and Siebert produced an astonishing inside look at courageous and loving residents helping their neighbours repeatedly survive what should have been fatal overdoses. The heart of the Downtown Eastside was on display to the world. And the people living there weren’t getting a great deal of help from government authorities.

The work of Lupick and Siebert helped stimulate more media coverage, which led to a dramatic response from the provincial government.

On April 29, Lupick and Siebert won a Canadian Association of Journalists award in the communitymedia category for their project, titled “A community response: How the worst overdose epidemic in Vancouver’s history left the Downtown Eastside to fend for itself”.

They also won the CAJ’S prestigious Don Mcgillivray Award for best overall investigative report, beating out every other media outlet in Canada. > STAFF

TMay 11 to 17, 2017

he votes are in, the people have spoken, and now, fresh off the heels of a Scorpio full moon, it’s onto a next page we go. All talk, no action? That’s not likely as Mars in Gemini picks up a fresh wind. Also on Thursday, Mercury/saturn get a good handle on the important stuff. A well-reasoned, practical, and sharpshooting pairing, the duo set an optimum backdrop for thinking, talking, or working through it. It’s an excellent day to make a commitment; sign a contract, file documents, hit the books, do paperwork, get it managed and under better control. This duo also favour activities that require technical aptitude, physical stamina, or a steady hand. A talk with the bank, the boss, an agent, specialist, expert, official, parent, or spiritual adviser can be productive too.

Friday’s Mars/jupiter is on the upswing and the increase. News, money, and folks are on the move. Put yourself out there, launch it, sell it, try it again, say it first, or get there first. It’s a thumbs-up day for travel, sports, and getting your fill of pleasure.

Spend it any way you like, Saturday/sunday also make the grade. Your quality time and attention is the best gift you can give on Mother’s Day.

Mercury leaves Aries for Taurus late Monday night. A productive and lucrative influence, Mercury in Taurus can hold it steadier, but don’t expect the pace to slow down much. Saturn/uranus and Venus/jupiter are in full swing for the entire week ahead. At all levels, it’s an excellent week for making the most of it.

ARIES

March 20–April 20

Thursday to Saturday, Mercury/saturn and Mars/jupiter set you up for success and reward. Have the conversation, give the presentation, sign the paperwork, grab a plane; or hit the road. Plans, talks, and activities will prove fruitful. Mercury leaves Aries for Taurus on Monday, but it won’t slow you down much! The week ahead keeps you on a great upswing.

TAURUS April 20–May 21

Take full advantage of the here, the now, and the week ahead while the stars offer up their best. Thursday moves you past a doubt or uncertainty and sets you on your way. Sign the contract, give your word, get it nailed down. Friday, great strides can be made. Mercury into Taurus, beginning Monday, helps you to look and sound your best.

GEMINI

May 21–June 21

The first half of Thursday can start with loss, uncertainty, or blank but it won’t take long for you to get your bearings straight. An answer, clarity, or better pick reveals itself naturally. Once it does, you are off to the races. Friday, travel, talk it up, or try your luck. Saturday onward, the stars set a productive and lucrative backdrop.

CANCER June 21–July 22

Thursday/friday, stream of consciousness, wandering, or conjuring could lead you someplace good. If it isn’t coming naturally, don’t force it. What’s meant to be will fall into place quite beautifully. Saturday through Monday, expectations are readily met. Mercury’s advance into Taurus late Monday will help you to track it down better. Money prospects, social connection, and satisfaction are on the upswing.

LEO

July 22–August 23

Fresh, new, and next has your name on it. Thursday/friday, a conversation or look-see

VIRGO

August 23–September 23

The second time can be a charm. Try it or say it again: you’ll get more out of it this time around. Thursday, you could learn or spot something you missed previously. Friday through Sunday sets you up for a bonus or reward. Monday, you’re onto a good trend. A fullto-the-brim week lies ahead. Great gains can be made.

LIBRA

September 23–October 23

Thursday’s free or extra time can be put to very good use. Once you’re on a roll, don’t stop; keep going! Enjoy shopping, sports, or social action. Ending the workweek and launching Mother’s Day weekend, Mars trine Jupiter in Libra pumps up the fun, the love, and the profits. It’s all good news/happymaking for the week ahead, too.

SCORPIO

October 23–November 22

You don’t have to say much to get the ball rolling Thursday to Saturday. The power of suggestion is your best strategy. Let them figure it out from there. By the same token, Mars/jupiter gives you a great knack for reading between the lines and for picking the winners. Tuesday/wednesday can dish up something fresh or extra. Overall, it’s all good.

SAGITTARIUS November 22–December 21

You’ll hit full swing Thursday to Saturday. Mars/jupiter makes for a good few days for moneymaking, travel, sports, romance, or shooting the breeze with friends. Mother’s Day Sunday through Monday meets expectations. Mercury into Taurus, starting late Monday, assists you to better use of time and resources. Tuesday/wednesday, one thing leads to another; invent it as you go along.

CAPRICORN December 21–January 20

Take/gift yourself with extra leeway through the weekend. No one will fault you for it. Upbeat Mars/jupiter finds you in generous giving mode, too. Mother’s Day is what you make of it. Monday, you have it under good control. Mercury in Taurus helps you to look your best, to say it/do it right. Tuesday/wednesday, dive into something fresh.

AQUARIUS

January 20–February 18

Once the stars put you in the know, it’s sign it, say it, or gameon time. Launching your weekend, Mars/jupiter is ideal for enjoying a special event or a getaway, or simply making the most of your free time. Mother’s Day through Monday, quality over quantity does it right. As of Tuesday, plan to hit it full tilt.

PISCES

February 18–March 20

Thursday/friday, say what’s on your mind; get it cleared away and/or nailed down. Mars/jupiter pump up luck and improve the connection with your lover or another. The duo also set a good weekend backdrop for travel, sports, and for enjoying more of the good stuff. Saturday through Monday, stay the course. Tuesday/wednesday, fresh is best.