Downtown Eastside business owners asked if tent removals helped | CBC Vancouver

[@jhinkwon2828]

This is really great reporting. Upfront and close on the ground with business owners and people on the street. Unfiltered and raw - I park at the same lot and walk this walk every morning and this is a very accurate portrayal of downtown east side. Thank you CBC Vancouver for bringing awareness to this very important issue for our city.

[@animalmother5287]

😂😂

[@mustbeaweful2504]

I appreciate how raw the telling of this story was.

[@silentmajority8365]

Enjoy diversity

[@andrewjohn2124]

What does diversity have to do with the story?

[@silentmajority8365]

@@andrewjohn2124 Many homeless here illegally inclusion of the mentally ill is part of diversity Sexual diversity allowed certain types to hold office that they couldn't before and they encourage the nanny state

[@mustbeaweful2504]

@@andrewjohn2124 So, to answer your question: the magic of bigotry links diversity to how this story is told.

[@xylo5750]

​@@silentmajority8365 every single homeless person or drug user shown in the video had a Canadian accent

[@SaraX2024]

I live in the Lower Mainland but barely go to Downtown Vancouver anymore. Last week, I visited downtown after a long while and it was shocking. It was not just the Eastside anymore, the homelessness and drug use is now all over the place. I paid parking for the entire day, only to leave after an hour. I quickly shopped what I needed and left because I didn't feel safe anywhere in Downtown Vancouver. Places in the heart of downtown and around West Hastings used to be clean and walkable. Now, there is smell of urine and dirt everywhere, suspicious activity in the open where there used to be none, and construction sites limit access to many streets. Downtown Vancouver has become unwalkable.

[@johnnygoodman2003]

What are you talking about. Vancouver always had homelessness.

[@SaraX2024]

@@johnnygoodman2003 Yes, Vancouver always had problems with homelessness. Absolutely. But there was a clear distinction between East and West Hastings for instance. Now, it's everywhere, reaching far into the western part of the city where there used to be a hard cut. The majority of the city looks like the Eastside now.

[@randomuser942464]

Never had a problem going downtown and feel like anyone who does is scared for no real reason

[@scottbails6663]

@@randomuser942464 Ya and why do people get stabbed for no reason !

[@randomuser942464]

@SCOTT BAILS show me the people who get stabbed for no reason because stabbings are always drug or robbery related.

[@laarawilliamsen]

Thank you for your interviews. In 1998 many countries came to a huge conference in Vancouver and basically every country said we were doing it wrong. What was recommended was low cost housing, counselling, drug treatment, hospitalization for those who are sick either physically or mentally. What Vancouver did was start up the needle exchange. Why?

[@infowarriorone]

Needle exchange was a small step in the right direction. Now there's safe injection sites in Vancouver. We have them here in Toronto and they've saved thousands of lives.

[@laarawilliamsen]

@@infowarriorone Yes, you are right. I am in favor of needle exchange and safe injection sites as part of a solution. At least many lives have been saved with these partial measures to assist!

[@Shay416]

Because it's the cheaper option.

[@DW-op7ly]

I'm for these as well but if we are saving lives and money decriminalization of drugs we need to spend that money on catching the criminals

[@laarawilliamsen]

@@DW-op7ly Yes. the criminals need to be stopped completely. Agreed!

[@TheMcgojoh]

Well down. You and your team have been doing a bang up job on reporting on the issues facing the DTES. Thank you.

[@vancouverbluesea]

It is a vicious cycle. People work (but can't earn enough so they can live normally). Then they slip and despair and some try to escape in drugs or alcohol. Then once addicted - they can't get out. You give the safe supply and save lives but then what? Can you bring people out of the pit, get them drug free, give them decent job and let them live a normal life? Or - what is the goal? Do you have a plan what to do? One more thing - many thousands can be saved by avoiding the illicit drugs. Then what? Save 12000, few years down the road 24000 etc. If the number increases is this a success story? Unless the issues that bring people on the street - desperation, inability to live a normal life are addressed - they don't live - they just exist.

[@jordanthedoge535]

this homelessness and drugs business is a huge industrial complex. The more the homeless the more money rolls in for people who oversees this problem. Do you really think they want to solve this problem? If they do then the money stops.

[@bc5810]

Yes! Business owner here. It is helping, just a small start, but noticeably better. We have an all female staff, and as an owner I feel personally accountable for their safety. We have a door buzzer, and my husband - the only male - does feces and needle clean-up in our doorway and is the bouncer when needed. There is a Vinatown cleanup on June 10th, we'llbe there and everyone is welcome to join. Let's make our neighborhood safe and clean for everyone.

[@Someguy21230]

You all deserve to be able to carry guns. Every female there should feel secure.

[@kristineshepherd7200]

I don't need a gun to feel safe when i have educated myself on the issues and don't fall for the stigma fed to us on mass.

[@myguykaikai9215]

@@Someguy21230the last thing we need in Canada is a fool American telling us to go get a gun.

[@anisaguine]

"Why are you still here?" Well, her lease holds her there, as well as the fact that she's probably sunk tens of thousands of dollars into the space, and it'd probably take her tens of thousands to build a new space, and after eight years, her rent will probably double in a new location, while she'll have to wait 6 months to a year to get city approval. What I'd like to know, and what no one seems to be asking, is how many of these people are in this city specifically because they wouldn't get the same level of support (or the same freedom to get drugs) in say, Regina...

[@OK-hl6qd]

$$$

[@Me-ei8yd]

Regina has these problems. They can just afford to be inside in the winter.

[@ihategooglesomuch]

yeah it's pretty funny, like "why can't you spend 10 times more money to live in a decent part of town?" it's like the BC government's answer to high rent prices: "let them buy condos instead".

[@jb7720]

It's no different in Edmonton my friends check out nine between our awesome new tax payer paid arena and 107 ave we have tent blocks that would rival east hastings

[@jb7720]

I love how we hear zero from any representative about how China and the aic systematically flood nations with fentynyl

[@Makeup_and_Me]

I agree with the gentrification part, I'm literally at risk again to become homeless due to rent increases

[@VanisleGirl1961]

Maybe address poverty and the high cost of living. Addiction is an issue but where are they to go? Mentally ill people being left on the streets...it's an issue all over the country and in the states too. Poverty needs to be addressed. People can't live and they are pushed. Mentally ill have no place to be cared for.

[@joannecolette8169]

It amazes me the ignorance of some people. First, the stores featured pay $75 per square foot for rent, actually more than in some other places in Vancouver. Second, they have put in a lot of their own money to start those businesses and pay high taxes ( etc.) to maintain them. They are hard working people who don't get government handouts. Third, someone said something about disturbing the hornets nest, I didn't realize that speaking out about a situation that is destroying our city is taboo. If we don't acknowledge it we can't help anyone improve their situation. Fourth, someone said that the business owners should make changes in how they work. What kind of changes? They did make changes by locking the door during business hours and only letting in people they know. A business owner shouldn't be held hostage when they are just trying to make a living and employ others who also want to work and make their money the legal way, including paying taxes to support those who can't or won't work. The business owners aren't the ones bothering the homeless and drug addicted. They just want a safe, clean place to offer their services and be left alone.

[@David-gz4wb]

Yeah so you can count 1 to 4 good for you. Nobody is pointing the gun to open shop there. You're telling me they're paying more down there than kits, Kerrisdale or coal harbour? Let's be honest, the incentive is cheaper lease. Your magical number of "$75" per sq ft can be tossed out and so does your ability to count.

[@zion2794]

it's very taboo indeed but yes it's 100% a discussion that is needed to be had. it's not anyone's fault besides the government though.

[@joannecolette8169]

@@David-gz4wb Check for yourself and then reply. It is true!

[@silentmajority8365]

@@David-gz4wb Society and its resources is for the lawful Criminals and the insane should be locked up Liberals too 🤣🤣

[@silentmajority8365]

@@zion2794 How is it their fault people use drugs? It is government fault for not locking up the insane

[@JSOptimus]

The provincial government at the time that closed Riverview failed everyone who use to live there. All of the the governments since from the provincial and city level have failed everyone who lives and works in the downtown eastside/Chinatown. They've watch the area crumble and have done very little. Millions spent on free and "safer" drugs (which is laughable), but they never actually addressed the real problems of helping those with mental health issues and homelessness. And, the justice system appears to be a revolving door for those who commit crimes down there. Nothing will really change until the address the bigger issues.

[@ihategooglesomuch]

they closed Riverview because it was too expensive to give severely ill people the most basic level of 'care' possible. They were turned out onto the street to die (which many did), but unfortunately many are still alive and living on the same planet as 'normal' people. That’s why they have expanded MAiD to include mental illness, in hopes that people will elect to off themselves next time they feel depressed and hopeless. this goes way beyond the homeless, many low income people are unable to get the help they need, let alone afford decent housing.

[@matzrat5006]

@@ihategooglesomuch Supreme Court decided it was against their civil rights being locked up, because they were mentally sick. But it has been shown that they need that help.

[@ihategooglesomuch]

@matzrat5006 obviously they would not admit that it was a money issue, as that would make them appear heartless, but that is clearly the underlying reason.

[@horsegirly5]

Great reporting! As a teacher, I always wonder what the childhood experiences of folks on the streets were. Yes, the government needs to address the immediate needs but we should to go right back to the beginning to better childcare, support for families, and educational supports for students who are at risk for substance abuse and other mental health issues.

[@markymark4756]

this is what you get when you pannder to Sodom and Ghamorra. God should have put a Swastika in the sky insted of a rainbow then we would see the truth.

[@markymark4756]

Pride will be here next week, lets take life Lite Bud and see how far we fall.

[@markymark4756]

Don't judge me I just bought 2g of cocaine to masturbate to porn. give them what they ask for

[@MathGPT]

While I think the sentiment is right...the fact is that there's an entire class of human beings in the West right now that are deemed obsolete and useless. There used to be a strong market for physical labor but we altered our economies such that its entirely knowledge and service work. In other countries these people could actually hold down a job but here they can't. Thanks globalization!

[@amossimon3438]

No child or adult gets up in morning and goes out .To do bad job or be a drug addict.They need help to get throught life.We have to support them in there ups and downs throught there walk throught life.This is like forest fires.The aminals have no place to live or find food.They will be on your door steps.

[@RedX1II]

@CBC I have lived at Seymour and Nelson now for almost 3 years and what I've witnessed while living directly next to Granville Street (and subsequently the ally next to it) is shocking to say the least. Aside from homeless/addicts breaking into our building each day to steal the amazon packages - In the warmer months, you will find TEENAGERS - YOUNG - 13-16 year old boys (sometimes girls!) From nicer parts of the city - in name brand clothing, nice backpacks and nice skateboards - huddled around each other on a blanket - slumped over and drooling, in and out of consciousness - 2-4 of them, in broad daylight and every single person just walks by them. These kids come downtown to get access to cheap and accessible drugs and find it by simply walking up to the corner of granville/nelson where there is at any given moment 2-5 different dealers all working together to deliver to the drug needs of the people visiting here - they do not discriminate against age - nor do they care about the youth in our city. I used to live just down the road at EXPO & CAMBIE - and it felt like a COMPLTELY different world living down there - You rarely saw a homeless person walking around, the streets are spotless - people are chipper and generally more polite and aren't afraid to make eye-contact - but up here? Nobody looks at each other - you don't trust anyone - you're constantly dodging people yelling at each other or smashing windows - every car for an entire block has its windows smashed and the glass of past car break ins clutter the street. On top of all of this, we have an extremely skilled group of "addicts" that have access to a "FIRE DEPARTMENT" access key that use it to access our buildings elevator and turn it off at night time, giving them access to our parking lot and the floors of our building - We pay $2600-3500 a month to live here and have no security and are CONSTANTLY in a battle for our safety in our building - The other night I walked up to my building and a homeless man was dumping gasoline into a planter and lit it ablaze, while I called the police - another casually dressed man walked into our building as residents held the door watching the blaze - this man proceeded to steal every package, literally IN FRONT of the FIREDEPARTMENT and walked away unscathed. I DON'T Know what the answer is - but I can't see it getting better before it gets a WHOLE LOT WORSE!

[@Canadahasfallen88]

Wow, that sounds like hell on earth. I'm sorry you have to experience that on a daily basis. 😟

[@nicolasclermont893]

Housing.Housing.Housing A city in a modern society cannot function if its citizens cannot afford to live there.

[@matthewsmith3596]

But these people dont know how to take care of a house/home? Youll just create Ghetos which is what this is. Forced treatment, then disbursement. Put them all in one place and it turns into a shitshow. The ones that can never get better should be in mental institutions where we can take care of them / clean / feed them. Step 1) build the mental health fascilities. Step 2) Move all the services (free food etc) away from downtown east side and into an empy plot outside of town (next to the mental health fascility) Step 3) Forcibly round up the homeless and treat them at the fascilities where all the services are. Step 4) Slowly transition them into subsidized housing and not into big housing blocks where they congregate. This will take a ton of money and planning and violate their right to choose in the short term. One thing that I dont see mentined is the social aspect, they are in the downtown eastside because their friends are there. Isolate them, treat them, then integrate them away from the othewr adicts.

[@Ohkay5613]

Im general yes, citizens need affordable housing. However this type of homelessness cannot be solved with housing.

[@Ohkay5613]

@@RedParkerPaintings unfortunately not. It's the truth. Mental illness and addiction isn't cured with an affordable apartment.

[@Ohkay5613]

@@RedParkerPaintings people with addiction and mental illness bad enough to cause chronic homeless are not going to get better with just the basics. Providing the basics isn't going to help them because they need far far more than just the basics. In many cases any home given to them will end up trashed and/or abandoned because they cannot function while spiraling down in their addiction and undiagnosed/untreated mental health problems.

[@nicolasclermont893]

@@Ohkay5613 i agree it isnt 100 percent a solve for mental health problems, but imagine the good it does knowing you arent sleeping on a street like an animal every nignt or that you can live in a building with dignity.

[@nintendo1709]

So I'm an American and I find this situation interesting. We obviously have a lot of issues of mental health, drug use, and homelessness here but a lot of progressives say it's due to the lack of a social safety net and affordable housing. Yet when I look at Canada, a country with a stronger welfare system than ours, it seems like a lot of the same problems exist. What makes Canada different from the UK or France? I think it's institutionalization. Countries like Denmark, Norway, Japan, and Taiwan have some of the highest mental health institutionalization rates in the world. Canada, like the US, needs to rebuild their mental health and insane asylums to rehouse these people, but also have oversight, rules, and cameras to prevent abuse from happening. It would be humane and clear the streets of people who are a danger to themselves and others.

[@nicolasclermont893]

So we have a huge issue with affordable housing. People can't buy houses because there aren't enough and the ones that exist are too expensive. The same with rent.

[@nintendo1709]

@@nicolasclermont893 I understand that argument but I'm not sure if it holds true. For example, Tokyo, London, Oslo, Sydney, and Singapore are all expensive cities with affordability problems but they do not have the problems that many American and Canadian cities have with regards to vagrancy, drug abuse, and homelessness.

[@shauncameron8390]

@@nintendo1709 Singapore doesn't have the problems because drug-traffickers and addicts are hanged.

[@nintendo1709]

@@punkinhoot I don't know if that's true either because New York City and Chicago have some of the highest rates of homelessness in the US and they are both cold places. Toronto also has an exploding homeless population. It just seems like there is something deeper going on that neither said is speaking about.

[@rffg781]

this. there is reason for asylums to exist. but very few people willing to say it outloud.

[@zombiasnow15]

I agree Mental Health has to be the number one priority! Things won’t change unless some REAL solutions are mandated. Canada should start to implement ideas that work from other parts of the world. Check out Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, even some Asian cities have implemented better ways of dealing with people, without impeding on their personal freedoms.

[@michellerose1190]

@Donnell O Wrong. And cold-hearted. Again.

[@Ynalaw]

@@michellerose1190 All freedom fighting social justice warriors have no clue. When people are heavily addicted to drugs, they aren't even capable of making logical decisions. This is why they poop on the sidewalk and smoke crack in public bank buildings. Step 1 is to eliminate the drugs. Step 2 is to deal with mental health. Meth psychosis is curable when you stop taking meth.

[@jimdevlin4949]

Bring back mental housing with fences!

[@CrazyMonkey679]

Junkies need to get off the drugs and get their act together. Simple as.

[@shauncameron8390]

@@Ynalaw They're enablers.

[@lavaskull2489]

i enjoyed this interview and you showed each side of people on these streets and treated both of them with respect, thank you for being a true journalist

[@MarkFreemanYVR]

Add business addresses in lower thirds so viewers have a geographic reference and can choose to support businesses.

[@randomx661]

Love the way this video is taken, by considering everyone's opinion. Way to go CBC

[@michaelmannucci8585]

Too bad they're shills for the Liberal party that created this situation.

[@johnjohnson3390]

This is really great reporting.

[@ricosolomon]

3:33 "Kermit the Frog just got a hundred thousand dollars, man" OMG one could not WRITE this kind of dialog for an SNL skit.

[@patriciajager5912]

I found this to be exceptionally well done. Balanced. Restful. Honest. Direct. Informative. This is a world so few of us will experience up close and personally…thank God…it is tragic, worst nightmare level terrifying, insane and it does shatter your heart, when the person you love beyond words, succumbs to their drug of choice. It is no wonder those who struggle the most to fit into Society’s Rules and Expectations, Self Medicate. It is a downward spiral, to their inevitably death from their Drug of Choice. I had this world thrust down upon me, from such an opposite world. If a person gets to the point where their Drug owns them, they turn to crime and prostitution. Very few who get to this point will ever get out of this vicious cycle. Far more innovative, extended treatment length, sober living communities, and teaching job skills, Trades and Life Skills.

[@MAXIM_One]

As much as I despise CBC this was a decent piece. Reporters need to do more of this.

[@mattymattffs]

This is the norm for CBC. But liking CBC is a you problem

[@beetdiggingcougar]

There are some good reporters among the ultra-woke ones.

[@Euphorica]

​@@mattymattffs not the norm, at all.

[@jessd4048]

I’d like to see the dots connected more explicitly between housing crisis , inadequate income & social supports combined with subsequent provincial governments abandoning their responsibility for health care. This state of affairs affects everyone. One thing we have never seen is community provided the explicit power & adequate resources to implement solutions on their own. We will never get out of this cul-de-sac by government only ever providing half a loaf

[@jessd4048]

@Donnell O I have, I particularly hear about it from people who think society should organize itself along one proposition: “There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom *the law binds but does not protect.”* I do wonder if you might be one of them

[@nopeninja8883]

Yeah and for me the fact that SRO's are diminishing and no stable housing option(s) is there for them is a big contribution to stressing these people even more.

[@michellerose1190]

@Donnell O Ever hear of Government responsibility? Compassion? But, hey, as long as you're okay, right?

[@silentmajority8365]

Shortages? they why let more in ? You took shame away from being lazy being a criminal or fruit Enjoy

[@carmenlajoie2719]

Did you know poverty allieviation completed 10 yrs ago in China with Farmer/ Labor party. CGTN The Point-Hub-Heat. RT International, Telasur

[@michellejalbert-deen1329]

At Riverview, there's ample land for tiny homes.

[@SaraX2024]

Creating free housing at Riverview would cost the city money. The city rather makes money renting Riverview out to film productions frequently. Also, it's full of asbestos still. The entire location needs a renovation, hence, more investing.

[@notapplicable8136]

It really pisses me off to think that we euthanize stray dogs. Never seen a stray dog act like this

[@Momo-hh6er]

Vancouver deserves it. They became the role model for the bs going on in the rest of the country.

[@8bit_paul]

Wow. Brave reporting to not avoid the reality of the situation, thanks CBC.

[@littleripper312]

What's frustrating is everyone knows what needs to be done but our government is so inefficient and disconnected it just doesn't get done. Mentally ill people need to be taken care of by society. It doesn't matter that they don't work and contribute to society they should not be on the streets. It's weird how we would never allow a dog to live homeless on the streets but it's apparently okay for disabled humans? This is unacceptable that this is still a problem in todays age in this city.

[@universalconquest4447]

You can lead by example and let some of them live with you!

[@flavianofloris4459]

Bravo👏👏👏👏

[@NakaidaBeauzec]

Too concerned about identity ideologies

[@evegaboury6366]

Great work! Congratulations to this journalist! The type of reporting I expect from CBC/RC.

[@CrusaderBass1]

Thank you for the wonderful piece. I think you covered it very well.

[@rafae5902]

Saying that they contribute to anything other than to make people not wanting to live there is a very bad taste joke tbh

[@danielt1985]

Please do not stop making these videos

[@juki1x]

Good old cbc, always with that "compassionate" angle. Bring back the tents, help the criminals, no one is accountable for their actions. How about forced cold turkey, how about putting them in jail, how about cleaning the streets.

[@marcriede121]

Convert abandoned shipping containers. Cheap, plentiful, fire and water-proof, easily transported to any prepared land with water, gas and electricity embedded. Eight posts and a crane @ one small plot build/day. Sole parents first, then the elderly. Install a dedicated creche, and a care centre, and a market. Create a community. Seed the streets with fruit trees and vegetable patches for each yard - all free. This is a no-brainer. Think outside the box. How many abandoned shipping containers are there on the wharves? 100s of thousands. Confiscate them! Sack current management and make something happen. NOW !!!

[@marcriede121]

Gift sole parents and the elderly with a safe comfortable roof, in their own community - then greedy landlords will suffer all the losses they deserve. They'll then need to get pro-active in retaining tenants - as in lowering rent to a reasonable rate, and maintaining good relationships and conditions.

[@marcriede121]

Riverview?

[@ihategooglesomuch]

sole parents already get housing provided by religious organizations like the Salvation army, but these groups won't help anyone else who doesn't align with their beliefs.

[@LOLBTLOLBT]

there won't be any consequence until there is minimum sentencing for repeating violent offenders

[@DaveGIS123]

Minimum sentencing doesn't work. They tried it in different jurisdictions in the States with their '3-Strikes You're Out' rules, but they were all failures. Remember, these are all people, too. Some of them made bad choices, and some of them are bad people, but some of them are just down on their luck.

[@johnnygoodman2003]

Why do people, especially in large cities say "it use to be save, we never locked the doors, the doors were always open". What a lie. Ive never been to a place there people leave their doors unlocked.

[@johnnygoodman2003]

@@farid7838 has this happened to you?

[@spelunkerd]

Finally an interview with the lifeblood of the community, local business owners. The families of addicts learned long ago that tough love is the only option. In comes government to give them a soft landing, and encourage them to congregate together so they can continue to walk that unacceptable pathway. Get out of the business of enabling. It will never work, it often makes things worse.

[@johnnieireland2057]

This neighbourhood is the worst it’s ever been and I’ve lived here for 20 years. Never had a problem really ever before and the past couple years have had physical altercations and a weapon pulled on me when I was just trying to work.

[@4earthly2being0]

the polite dealer and drunk guy were the best part of this segment foir a number of reasons

[@tinac8596]

This is getting way out of hand, what about our rights and safety as citizens. How is this allowed and continued with complete disregard to us as Citizens. It's time to enact measures to immediately address this massive safety issue in many communities.This is not cohesive or safe to us as citizens, and will only continue to get worse!!! Multi- tiered issue, however safety needs to immediately be addressed, instead of going back and forth on how to address the drug epidemic, your not going to solve the drug epidemic in one way, but start with our safety, while looking for possible solutions for the drug epidemic, which is incredibly sad. Like people with addictions have rights, we also have rights as citizens to live and work in a safe community. Multi-tiered levels of government need to address our now safety concerns which are, gravely impacting our personal and professional lives.

[@zombiasnow15]

I agree . The system itself needs to overhaul.

[@sadboi7537]

Canadians have no rights. Lol. One of the most pussified countries in the world.

[@silentmajority8365]

@@zombiasnow15 Just go back to enforcing vagrancy arrest drug addicts and lock up the insane Stopping those hot us here

[@jadepaulsen8456]

" they" are also citizens. " they " are not safe. " they" are victims of crime daily. Stay in your castle.

[@greyghost6989]

Please understand too. The addicted and homeless did not choose to be that way either. Everyone has rights of course. Understanding, compassion towards others as well as true help and support for all is needed.

[@melanievoisin9900]

Fantastic reporting. Well done Lien Yeung!

[@jasons2562]

Shes a great journalist who really seeks the truth, refreshing. These business owners should be able to stop paying all business related taxes until the environment is made safe and viable

[@hygogc1685]

When police or the government are not doing their jobs, reporters need to step up. 👍 Why are the drugs everywhere, must be some corruption going on. The problem is that our kids starts to use them in high school, like grade 9 that's insane while the community around the school actually is a good one. It is not just a problem in downtown east side. The old days, kids got punished for smoking in the school's washrooms, now drug overdose.

[@SaraX2024]

Blame the government, not the police. The Liberals legalized a lot of hard drugs. The police's hands are bound because it's the law the Liberals gave us. And if anyone is questioning why the police has to apply more force nowadays, I would take drugs like cocaine for instance into consideration. Certain drugs make people more resistant to force. Even the insurgents during the Iraq War abused cocaine and other drugs to be more resistent to the military forces, that's how well these drugs are working. Even several gunshot wounds could not kill the insurgents easily and they were still fighting back. Now, I'm not saying that anyone should get shot, but I'm laying out the power these drugs can have.

[@johnnieireland2057]

The police are doing their job everyday.

[@SaraX2024]

@@johnnieireland2057 absolutely. Imagine you joined the police because you wanted to make a difference, and then, the government puts some stupid laws into your path and you just have to watch your city falling apart that you were meant to improve and to protect.

[@johnnieireland2057]

@@SaraX2024 yeah I’ve talked to some good people who were officers about the whole situation. The ones I talked to genuinely cared. I know there’s bad officers too but that’s the same with any place, career etc.

[@ProbablyLying]

put criminals in jail. take away their hard drugs. give them training and counselling. and then when they pass those phases, give them a small home (they need to maintain employment).

[@lizliz4186]

Not all criminals do hard drugs. And not all drug addicts are criminals.

[@clarifyingquestions]

Yes, GIVe drug addicts and criminals a free house upon release if they maintain employment. Why cant everyone have this deal.

[@ProbablyLying]

@@clarifyingquestions ok just training and job placement.

[@clarifyingquestions]

@donnell188 exactly - how about everyone put a roof over their own head - it is called being an adult.

[@hermom1114]

And what do you do with folks that cannot stay employed for reasons beyond their control like OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia and so on . Many look ,at a glance, very capable of working but that's on their good days . To think that addiction is a "phase" is out of ignorance as is thinking that most of the folks here are lazy and just want to party when actually they are suffering and have been for many years . I know the majority of Vancouverites are seriously ignorant when it comes to addictions EXTREMELY and that is really sad . All anyone sees outside of BC is ignorant extremely selfish and inhumane people that treat vulnerable people horribly. You all that are capable to function in mainstream society be graceful and thank god everyday that you don't understand addiction ,mental illness and homelessness. The hatred for the folk here in the Eastside should be criminal.

[@LeechyKun]

Put those that want help into a better path with the help they need. The others that are pretty much lost need to be either locked up or in the hospital. Why don't we have asylums no more? You know, where the mentally ill go to reside and out of sigh from the public and for public safety as a whole. Not everyone wants to be saved or can be saved so they must be dealt with.

[@MK-cc5ve]

You are right

[@phoenixman8569]

most of those large provincial psychiatric hospitals were closed in the 1980s to save money, and just Like in States they also failed to provide adequate services in its place, and now with fentanyl and other toxic drugs killing addict's daily and almost all out patient care is failing including legal hard drugs and safe supply that were only introduced months ago, When fentanyl started showing up around a decade some suggested forced psychiatric care right away and then others in power argued that it was immoral and unethical to lock up someone against their will, saying "human being should not to locked in cages" So those in power decided in favor of a more friendly out patient care approach, but because of fentanyl those voluntary programs have failed miserably far to many times, So now Doctors and lawmakers are starting to realize that people addicted to substances laced with fentanyl are so addicted that they cannot be reasoned with and will almost always refuse treatment and will eventually end up dead, So forced treatment locked up in psychiatric care may be the only solution now, and i know a few bleeding heart liberals will disagree with this but what other choice is there, its literally do or die crunch time!!!!!

[@adaptercrash]

Cause we don't want you to be a doctor in psychiatry same thing as a the 60s

[@cassidyholmes1353]

She’s such a great reporter!

[@ttul]

I closed down my Gastown office after someone randomly hit my marketing guy in the teeth with a hammer. Oh, and then someone hit my operations guy. Oh, and then someone stole my dog and bashed me in the head with a tennis racket. Oh, and then someone was spotted loading a gun in the alley. Oh, and then the office was broken into and $15,000 worth of laptops were stolen. I’m not making a statement on the solution. But the symptoms of the problem are egregiously unacceptable in a democratic society. While I was attacked, stolen from, and frightened many times while going to and from work, I also saw many beautiful things. DTES residents are kinder to each other than your average Canadian. Although they suffer mightily, they are generous and caring. Every time you hear a siren, that’s someone’s friend going down. The tragic end of a tragic life that is no less human than yours.

[@fanyao1393]

The main issue is there isn't any consequence for wrong doing. These people can just walk away without any consequence. They got nothing to lose.

[@rffg781]

unfortunately people's kindness are taken advantage of. you just have to realize some people don't ever want to work or be a responsible citizen. leaving garbage and filth everywhere

[@irememberla6460]

Currently in Winnipeg and there are homeless but most are addicted to alcohol, not hard drugs. I havent seen a single 'hunched over' drug addict here once. There is a big difference walking in the streets. I m alot more scared in Vancouver...such a sad situation.

[@marcnadeau2367]

Once upon a time, prevention and treatment was a thing. Now you barely hear of it as being a solution to BC's drug problem. The Rand Corporation and others have done many studies on what ways work best for addressing illegal drugs. The studies just looked at effectiveness; i.e., the least the cost, the higher the effectiveness. With respect to cocaine, turns out that the most effective by far was prevention and treatment. The second most effective was criminalization. The third most effective was increasing border controls, and the least effective was chemical warfare, or fumigation of crops. If we look at current funding, it follows the opposite ranking. Most funding goes to the worst solution, and practically none goes to the best.

[@fallingpizza11]

​@@lynns3868its honestly a really good idea. people fantisize about things that are forbidden, we want to do things people tell us not to, its inherently human. taking away the fantasy and appeal of drugs would TOTALLY help.

[@cait8480]

@@fallingpizza11 more importantly, decriminalization removes barriers to getting help. people who need help would be able to reach out without fear of being jailed, fined, and losing their freedom. it’s the same outcome we see when sex work is decriminalized - we see lower rates of violence and death for sw’ers because there are fewer (or no) repercussions for reporting incidents.

[@annalisavajda252]

Well I live in Victoria the provincial capital and I noticed the popular 7/11 closed today. It's only 3 blocks from the police station too but I guess they can't be bothered to drive by and let their presence be known to deter crime here either. Useless.

[@frenchyroastify]

As a long time Vancouverite, that was some fantastic reporting.

[@Twkd1988]

you mean removing the tents didn't magically place the homeless people in a home? :O

[@Victoria-u1j3g]

It would have been cheaper to keep Riverview open than the millions poured into the DTES with no results. As a matter of fact, it has gotten worse and continues to do so. So the argument that Riverview closed because it was too expensive doesn't really make any sense.

[@PhoenixSerenity]

BC & federal government have made multiple decisions that are short sighted & supposed to be 'cost effective' yet many of those decisions result in higher costs. All levels of government has failed & still keep failing at providing free access to mental health care services & supports. It's difficult for people with homes, jobs, family, etc. to obtain quality mental health care services in timely manner. It's MUCH harder for homeless folks with underlying mental health & addiction issues. In BC, many people are on wait lists for mental health & for addictions help - wait times are often months to over a year from time help is needed/begged for. I used to volunteer to help fill out medical & legal forms for homeless people & help book appointments for them when requested. I didn't meet many homeless folks who didn't want help & a safe place to live.

[@luciantudor1527]

That's why I left. Took my whole family with me to Nova Scotia

[@davidm5417]

that's why you keep voting for left?

[@ChatGoPT]

I watched many Hong Kong movies. Most of the Hong Kong movie stars praised Canada to the skies as paradise. But Now this is not paradise.

[@Justice4oneandall]

Good luck solving the problem. The truth is, there is not enough money in the world to solve the problem. Sure, there are some who lost their job and fell into homelessness, not addicted to drugs, or have mental problems, that can be helped with outreach programs, job training, etc. The majority unfortunately cannot be helped as a result of their choice to use drugs which put them on the street. The problem is growing and unsolvable, therefore the government can only apply a band aid to the problem.

[@rickbold9337]

Imagine being on a cruise ship and looking forward to seeing Vancouver for the first time and stepping off the ship with your kids into that mess!

[@DiomedesRangue]

Great reporter

[@galegrazutis964]

I am not from Canada but in my country this would not be tolerated for a single minute. All these scum would be locked up in prison wher they deserve to be. It completely boggles my mind that a decent taxpaying citizens has to live this way.

[@shauncameron8390]

In Singapore and the Philippines, they would be executed.

[@bluespruce786]

Dr. Kendall said that we should implement a "regulated supply" 7:56 Is that the government providing these drugs for people?

[@tonyhoffman3309]

Yes

[@thehmc]

Way to go CBC. You finally got to this story years after conservatives were covering the problem.

[@therainforest4314]

W.E.F. is very pleased with Canada's spiralling decay.

[@yayaaa666]

These people need mandatory treatments for drugs and mental health aids. It’s ridiculous mental health is not part of the public health care. It would save the government much money to heal troubles from early on.

[@dallasgrful]

Thanks for doing these series

[@Art-vz6qh]

One of the worst parts is the area had gotten so bad yet so tolerated that people intentionally moved here to set up camps.

[@alextoronto5840]

No sympathy for these adults on drugs. Go and seek treatment you have to want to help yourself.

[@JackRocko]

there's scum everywhere in kkkanaduh, not just in the e. hastings area

[@TaraZsun]

This is good. Getting the opinion of the business owners and the owners are showing compassion towards the people who are struggling. Everyone just wants things to be taken care of.

[@1247.cccccc]

All the little BIAs are a total racket. Stealing from tenants to divide the public voice; very clever policy.

[@sylviacrawford4184]

Ludicrous. Every generation reinventing the wheel? I remember a very similar Vancouver during a horrific stretch of heroin wayyy back in the late 1900's. Wild stuff, eh? And, another generation of well meaning and reasonable people asking the branches of society that "handle" taxes, healthcare and community safety to do something. But, tale as old as time, the disenfranchised are not a priority; poor and sick people don't make money but cost money. Vancouver is a big money generator based on a brand, right? This issue is a human issue. This is a global issue. How to reconcile our infrastructure, as a society, with the value we put on citizens. Well, can't do that cause it makes folks uncomfortable. It is not the responsibility of other citizens to rearrange an antiquated and cruel society. You are hired or elected to roll up your sleeves and do the dirty work. Do your job. Or, hire/elect someone with some semblance of humanity and vision cause there will always be folks who can't "weather the storm".

[@shauncameron8390]

In other words, another enabler OOPS! I mean humanitarian. No. Most of the globe don't share Vancouver's issue.

[@markatal5394]

Great Reporting

[@davisurdaneta1426]

Average income vs high cost of living just doesn't match. I have a regulat job making $52k gross annual income. I live in a old aparment in low income neighbourhood (only place i can afford). I paid $1500/month rent but only because I've been living in this aparment for 10 years. New tenants living in one bedroom rennovated unit pays $2200-$2500. Even with my situation, more than half of my salary goes to rent. Meaning I only have $1000 to pay for my other bills, food and credit cards incrurred during the pandemic. I live a modest lifestyle, so imaging if you don't have a stable and sutainable job like me. I dunno if the government choose to ignore that facts.

[@weschampagne]

Social housing, gang. We NEED social housing.

[@h.5283]

OMG I went to this nail salon in 2018 and sit the spot where the lady was! I didn’t expect this issue increased dramatically 😢

[@WatermelonPlayzzRoblox-u3i]

Every human needs food, a safe place to sleep, a way to clean themselves and love. Only when these basic needs are met can they think about improving their situation.

[@michaelbooth2402]

Drug useage across the country has and is continuing to increase. We see it even in small towns as most now have homeless populations. Providing safe drugs has had limited success. More emphasis is needed on rehabilitation and educating those in need how to get a job and keep it. Tough love possibly. If this continues those businesses will fail.

[@rickybobby5153]

“Safe supply” is servicing probably less than 1% of addicts in Vancouver and less than 0.1% of drug users in BC. It hasn’t even been tested on an adequate scale. Only hardcore addicts with a doctors approval can get “safe supply”. Your weekend warriors who are dropping dead like flies, the guys who actually work and do a bit of blow on the weekend - they’re not getting any help.

[@deletemadog]

So, the conclusion is there's no resolution?

[@weedgypsie]

I'd like to personally thank the dealers who don't care or cut their product so they can increase income instead of helping individuals with there unique challenges. Support the ill and hold the drug dealers accountable.

[@joannecolette8169]

Charge them with 1st degree murder.

[@shauncameron8390]

It's not the dealer's job to help individuals with their unique problems. Also hold the addicts accountable for the crimes committed to support their habit.

[@JoAnnNitschke]

Agreed- great reporting. Very grateful for the story.

[@FEDD]

Great piece on DTES. The government really needs to support the small businesses and to crack down on the criminal element. Repeat offenders need to be in mental institutions or jail. Keep it up Lien Yeung! Awesome work.

[@phoenix0110]

We need more social housing to house the homeless!

[@shauncameron8390]

No. We don't need more Regent Parks or Swansea Mewses.

[@Azel247]

We must remember that the drug users and addicts are human beings and entitled to the basic human rights that everyone has. However, actions have consequences and being under the influence does not excuse you from the responsibility of your actions. It may not be their fault in terms of intentionality, but the only person to blame for the crime is the person who did the crime. The consequence needs to be severe enough to be a deterrent.

[@clarkejanot8423]

Well said. Everyone wants their rights but hates the responsibilitym

[@craigday1759]

Tell that to the family of the guy that got his head cut off in Sault Ste. Marie Ont. by three guys that got 2 yrs less a day for threre actions. They said it was bc of booze and drugs that it happen. The judge agreed that these guys were under the influence and Does excuse them from responsibility of their actions. 2 yrs,. Less a day what a joke

[@Azel247]

@@craigday1759 I literally wrote "actions have consequences and being under the influence does not excuse you from the responsibility of your actions." Should probably tell that to the judge rather than the family of the victim. We need a better justice system.

[@lanestaley1401]

Yah I remember when you didn't need to lock your doors in the dtes. It was back in the year never

[@Defx7]

Retrofitted Buses? How about Burnaby step up and open some homeless shelters. maybe spread out the services across the lower mainland.

[@clarifyingquestions]

Agreed if you look at a google map all the services are bunched together in the DTES when they should be spread from UBC to BBY and then BBY to New West etc

[@Josephixion]

"I don't do stuff like that" - the guy with no cheeks and a shirt that says cocaine on it

[@greghallberg4182]

"Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood When blackness was a virtue; the road was full of mud I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form Come in, she said I'll give ya' shelter from the storm I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn Come in, she said I'll give ya' shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan

[@Littlepaw7]

They need hospitalization first to determine if they can live on their own safely for them and the public. They need mandatory in patient rehab to decide who is salvageable who can be brought back to a productive life drug free. They need affordable housing for those with jobs that are living in their cars and motels/ hotels and with family or on the streets. Gentrification must not increase rent it must be community friendly. If we reallocated money we waste like bidens 44 million dollars for an electric bus charging station that is the cost for one. Stop helping other countries provide healthcare, secure borders ect when ours is open and costing us money to care for others before our own. The American people are tired of being in wars and conflicts and want our country to be the priority. We want our country great again with strong leadership to work with the American people on solutions but they have to come back to the everyday citizens level. And most of all they have to give a chit about the American people and not their political agenda and interests. I am sure their is plenty wasteful spending projects that can be reallocated. What happened to all the, unspent plandemic money? How about our leaders go thru their personal budgets and pay for their own gas, phones ect to save money to reallocate to the people.

[@gellichan09]

It's starting to happen in my city too. Before, I felt safe even if I walked alone at night (as a woman) in downtown. The past couple years, I would think twice going to downtown even in the daylight. It's all the same reasons and causes, mental health and crime. But of course, it's the government that lacks action.

[@danielkopaee9241]

Our problem! Exactly!

[@abrasionthermals9172]

Walk by looking on the ground: I didn't use to have to do this now I'm a weirdo for having to avoid feces 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@angelinabanks6592]

Courtenay BC has started to have this problem too..

[@brexit9279]

15minute city signs are now up in Canada. There is a sample at the corner of Kent and Catherine in Ottawa, on a new lot! 😮

[@brockm02]

This is OUR problem. Well said.

[@randyc7351]

Yhese poor business owmers. I am glad they are finally being interviewed

[@erictay-s1t]

drunk guy's interruption was funny .he seems to be going thru transformation . drunk are only bad if getting violent. he just kept walking after he was told they aren't interested in his $100, 000 story he was he wanted to share . i think there should be neighbourhood allowed for non violent drunk story tellers 😁 .keep walking man sounded polite request complied with . with no further interruption. you can't reason with emotions. if govt can provide shelters why would they wanna be out in tents ?

[@merrymeditation]

[@neilyakuza6595]

Quite obvious, is it not? Stupid question.

[@fromtheparkbench1979]

👏 Bang on piece, Lien! 👏 I am one of the homeless here in Edmonton. Where it went wrong? It was too ignored for too long and now is outta control everywhere. Closing the barn door after all the horses have left, so to say. 2023 Approach for a 2023 Problem... Our Premier Smith and police, etc, are working on "The Alberta Model" and I suspect it is going expand the "insanity law" to include drug addicts - if you are a harm to yourself or others - you can 'forced' into involuntary rehab. See, most kids are scared to go, but know they have, and want, to. You might get only mild resistance. With/by using Cognitive Behavior Therapy as a strong part of rehab for Complex(Childhood) PTSD, I have personally seen the 'lights go on' in their eyes...their smiles and determination returns, and most leave the community for a better life. CV plus previous childhood trauma + financial difficulties sent a lot of people down here. We have to stop having, "systemic prejudism against homeless people", stop painting ALL of them with the same 'pint brush' and divide to conquer a problem. We homeless people are so tired of all the 'talk-about, talk-about', each of these U of Whichever University's graduates NOT asking US what works and what is a waste of taxpayers dollars, and OUR time! Thanks.

[@markcunningham5655]

You want to improve safety. Get rid of all the Criminal Police Officers and Politicians. No other way will suffice. You did it remove tents. you made absolutely sure it even more dangerous for homeless people