Pubdate: Sat, 29 Oct 2016 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Joji Kumagai Page: E5 STRATHCONA SEES NEED FOR DIALOGUE ON INJECTION SITES Consultation process falls short, says Joji Kumagai. On Sept. 21, Vancouver Coastal Health's chief medical health officer announced the location of two proposed supervised injection sites for the Downtown Eastside, both of which are slated to open in early 2017 in Strathcona. As the representative body of 450 businesses, the Strathcona Business Improvement Association (SBIA) welcomes the opportunity for meaningful consultation on this important matter. But so far, what our community - - comprising 9,000 residents and 7,000 employees - has been afforded to date borders on shameful. With three open houses scheduled in the middle of the work day, during the middle of the week, we gather that "official" consultation on this matter is now considered complete. This raises concern for us, not to mention the broader question as to whether this is the type of process Vancouverites can expect from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) when proposing supervised injection sites in other neighbourhoods. In a hurry to prepare applications in response to a grave increase in overdose deaths in the city, VCH raced through the process. Only a handful of the business owners and residents we work with were aware of the VCH-led open houses or had an opportunity to attend the sessions and provide input. The session I attended had less than 12 participants present. The SBIA supports supervised injection sites and recognizes the need for these facilities, but they represent just one pillar of an overarching strategy. What's not clear at this juncture is what additional resources will be provided to support these new sites and ensure the safety of those who will use and work in them, as well as Strathcona residents and business owners. Members of the SBIA are proud to be part of the Downtown Eastside. However, ongoing public health issues like overdose related deaths in the area have prompted the need for dialogue with Vancouver's policy-makers. Rubber stamping policies that address one issue, albeit a critical one, will not solve the broader problems communities will encounter, and could easily create new ones. Strathcona business owners already cite safety as a primary concern due to an increase in homelessness, open substance use, and often, misinformation about the issues at hand. Currently, the Vancouver Police Department's Downtown Eastside BEAT Patrol ends at Gore Street, the border of Strathcona, but there were no indications at the open houses that additional resources will be directed to help the VPD extend their patrol into Strathcona, which experiences the same issues that are prevalent a few blocks away. Supervised injection sites can't exist in a silo, removed from the broader community fabric, especially among the mix of businesses and homes bordering the two new sites. To truly move the dial on issues that affect all Vancouver neighbourhoods, we need to work together - government, business, residents and advocates - to develop holistic approaches that address the health challenges we currently face. This begins with upfront, open and collaborative stakeholder engagement to ensure the community understands the importance and impact of supervised injection sites, and continues with a multi-pronged approach to both harm reduction and safety. Joji Kumagai is executive director of the Strathcona Business Improvement Association. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt