Councillor says Yaletown overdose prevention site will be moved, citing ‘safety issues’

published on April 27, 2023 by Abigail Turner in CTV News Vancouver

A life-saving service for people who use drugs continues to be a source of controversy for residents of a Vancouver neighbourhood and one local politician is saying the overdose prevention site should and will be moved.

Two years ago, an Overdose Prevention Site was opened at 1100 Seymour St., providing on-site monitoring of people using drugs as part of a response to a crisis that has seen thousands of British Columbians die from the toxic, illicit supply.

Coun. Peter Meiszner says he is in favour of seeing the site moved somewhere else, citing issues raised by residents.

“There’s been some concern from residents about things like discarded needles on the sidewalk, some of the structures that have been set up and also just some of the interactions with people who have been congregating, they’ve felt threatened,” Meiszner said…