Life on East Hastings | The Drug Epidemic of Vancouver

[@BrandonBuckingham]

Go to ExpressVPN.com/buckingham and find out how you can get 3 months of ExpressVPN free!

[@BrandonBuckingham]

for anyone interested in supporting the channel and seeing the extended cut of this episode, think about supporting on patreon!

[@thebuckinghamshow]

this is my second channel for anyone interested

[@Ashley_Schaeffer]

Always carry protection downtown... The crime is soo random out here... The Government is subsidizing the decline of society, meanwhile the "safe-sites" are getting millions in Gov't grants...

[@roseoverdose6451]

hey brandon, i noticed you showed a headline about airbnb bans bringing rent down. there's an interesting story behind that ban. there is a hotel lobby group (the BC hotel association) that paid a guy named David Wachsmuth for that study... and the BCNDP government closed down hundreds of legal (zoned, licensed etc.) BnB vacation rentals here, based on his study, to appease huge hotel corporations. claimed it was to help with affordability. zero unbiased evidence. just what the hotel lobby group paid for in that study. it made ZERO impact of rents, and a bunch of innocent people got screwed. many lost their entire life savings, and went bankrupt. the BCNDP gov. sold them out for big corporations. same thing happened in New York and the same guy David Wachsmuth was also behind a study funded/used there by another hotel lobby group. no one is covering this story. corrupt as hell.

[@roseoverdose6451]

@@Ashley_Schaeffer its important to clarify it's the BCNDP gov. that is subsidizing it. no other party was supporting it. the conservatives wanted to close them down.

[@caz8577]

"i live in a shelter im trying to downsize brother" probably one of the funniest things ive heard in awhile. That guy's great hope stuff gets better for him

[@kingdavidtheboss3994]

he did not get enough credit for that 😭😭

[@caz8577]

@kingdavidtheboss3994 real bro was quick with it too

[@davidmalinowski7930]

Ryan long must be from there

[@napiermail3592]

Bro I been asking you for months to walk through my hood. Thank you. I'm sure it wasnt pleasant or easy. But I really appreciate the light and quick minutes you gave my city. Thanks for not sugar coating it. What you people seen here is 1 for 1. Be safe

[@OG_SayMoreHomie]

I like how videos like this don't feel like im being preached to. He just shows how insane these places are in the most organic way possible and you get to feel what its like.

[@BrandonBuckingham]

@@OG_SayMoreHomie i really empathize with anyone suffering from addiction or homelessness. genuinely.

[@youtrippin_]

@@BrandonBuckinghamwheres the toronto video been waiting on that

[@ShittyBill]

You get it. Keep searching like this and forget any tv ish.

[@beejuice7972]

@@BrandonBuckingham Cold ass ridin'.

[@anarchistbunny3339]

to take a walk around the ghetto you see that kind of stuff all the time.. nothing new is happening here.. its been this way for along time now.. ppl are JUST now noticing... so fuckin stupid.

[@DOGSON_705]

Thank you for reviewing the epidemic we have in Canada. I've lost too many friends to this shit and it needs to come to light more. 🙏 I live on the other side of Canada, it's this way everywhere, sadly.

[@grapograc]

Not sure where you’re at but, Ontario and Quebec are no where near Vancouver right now.. you’re out of your mind

[@CZAR.6]

@@grapograc Ontario and Quebec aren't as bad but the Maritimes are proper fucked up

[@drongomaster]

Winnipeg is messed up in the same way

[@ThePatrix1879]

Every downtown core in Canada has a homeless/addiction problem. Vancouver has the worst since our climate is not as bad in the winter. There are many on Hastings and Main from the east coat and prairies.

[@TheLifeOfGarrett]

my experience of east hastings street: 1. A homeless lady dropping her pants and pushed out a poop against a window to a store that wouldn't give her free stuff 2. A homeless guy using the fountain out-front of a hotel to swim and drink beer in 3. my favorite of them all and probably the most important and meaningful thing I've ever been told, "if you find 1000 four leaf clovers one is bound to be blue" - an addict on east hastings.

[@og_tokyo]

not East Hasting, but California 2021, parking lot one block east from the venice pier, the lot with a mcdonalds, anyways, waiting for valet to get my car, this homeless dude, and a homeless tranny got into an argument and buddy pulls out a knife and they start going at it. 2nd day in LA.

[@yourwrongloserhaha]

for me it’s people assuming i sell shit cause i’m black and asking to blow me for drugs happens at least once a month

[@MedicineofSound]

I am having trouble comprehending number 3, what does that mean ?

[@skroogemcFück]

​@@yourwrongloserhaha did you ever take that offer?😂

[@kltil5082]

@@yourwrongloserhaha That happens to everyone, not cause you're black

[@b24s2]

Thank you for this, my brother died of an overdose earlier this year. It’s sad that the government has not changed any part of this problem for the last 20+ years.

[@matthiasvergote9537]

Been sober for 8 months. Best choice of my life and for everyone struggling: it does get better. ❤

[@margaretthatcher6828]

Well done!!! 17+ yrs here. It does get easier but some early days were total hell. Keep it up.

[@KevinoftheCosmos]

congrats, man. I wish you strength to keep clean

[@brucejohnson863]

You got this ma boi

[@alpacaman6256]

Congratulations man. Sorry to ask you this - but what do you personally think of groups giving out needles or drugs? I hold no bias whatsoever, I just see pros and cons to both sides.

[@dth91]

@@alpacaman6256I’m a recovering addict as well and I would have been all for this idea up until recently, I have seen how safe injection sites go in my area and they sure didn’t last long, multiple violent incidents including a shooting in the building. I would have had a much harder time quitting if I could have just walked down the street and gotten top notch fent any time I wanted

[@rebounds4vc410]

as someone from vancouver i wanna say thank you for covering this topic while being respectful and informative unlike other youtubers who tried to do videos on this street

[@n521]

I worked the front desk of an SRO for 3 years in downtown Vancouver. The things I've seen are INSANE.

[@BrandonBuckingham]

@@n521 i heard so many nightmare stories about SRO’s

[@THE_MOONMAN]

I can only imagine. Been to like 2 SRO and they seem insane

[@afungusamungus2860]

Knew some workers at the American 20 years ago, the stories they had

[@wyattritch9991]

Worked at two of Atira’s SRO shit holes for three years too, so I know if anything ‘insane’ is a understatement.

[@Wuqz]

i stayed in an SRO paying $500/mo rent then ended up getting stabbed and robbed by other residents within the first month or so. Ontario, especially here in Ottawa is essentially the same as VA atp. maybe just on a slightly smaller scale.

[@FULLSENDMMA]

Lived in Vancouver for 30 years now, East Hastings has been like this the entire time. We would always have to drive through it on our way to Canucks and Lions games as a kid and it’s sad to say we just got used to seeing it this way.

[@kltil5082]

Exactly, it's so annoying to see people who don't even live here saying "this is what drug legalization does" etc. It looked exactly the same when it was totally illegal except there was more violence, stress and wasted tax money locking up someone for merely possessing drugs. No matter what the law is people here are going to be the Vancouverites that they are, we don't listen to the rest of the province because our situation is different than other cities. The VPD didn't even listen to the law, they were acting like drugs were decriminalized before it even happened because they know first hand putting people in jail for it causes way more harm than good. Prop to the officers in Vancouver, they are so much more chill than the RCMP

[@WUTANGCLAN705]

We don't like it. Canadians hate it, but then again, Vancity is an extreme left city

[@acmhfmggru]

​@@kltil5082man, read your own comment. You say people blaming legalization are wrong and then blame the de-facto decriminalization from the 90s yourself.

[@thenorthernwill]

​@acmhfmggru 💯. 420 in the 90's and 00's was always a massive event, especially at the art gallery. Cops did nothing. Dispensaries were everywhere, and slowly became normalized long before 2016. The culture of substance abuse is long in Vancouver, like San Fran. We are their twin city to the north, and the evidence of mutually failed policy is almost endless.

[@AlCatSplat]

@@WUTANGCLAN705 "Capitalist" and "extreme left" are antonyms.

[@thebuckinghamshow]

this is my second channel for anyone interested. lots of extra content on here and recently dropped a diss track towards akademiks on here

[@tonyelectionfraud669]

BUCKETHEAD SHOW! BUCKETHEAD

[@skunkylove7131]

Who is Akademiks? Never heard of her.

[@waddy3985]

I've been on your stuff since you did the metokur interview, love your stuff bro keep doing what you do best!

[@TheSecondMouse]

Sick!

[@cozy_2X]

Bro I live in Vancouver! If you want me to show ya around shoot me a message!

[@MrIneedalifenow]

This coverage is actually amazing. Well done!

[@Zackjjames]

That was an incredibly good pitch, especially for a tweaker... "How cheap we talkin?", "Cheap like I live in a shelter and I'm trying to fucking downsize brother" 34:34

[@BrandonBuckingham]

that guy had a hilarious sense of humor, i really liked him

[@kademclean1243]

he's legit a great salesman hahaha

[@ericpettyfishing]

I dislike tweakers

[@adrianfitzpatrick4638]

He's a comedy genius would make anybody grin 😁

[@CanadianFitted]

@@BrandonBuckingham Forreal the guys here tweaking in Toronto are the same, I liked them and bought some of them food even though I was dealing with them I made sure they ate before they lifted off, shit hurts me still it’s sad as hell.

[@AnyHolesAGoal00]

Im from Vancouver. This is the first video of yours ive seen. Youre a great journalist or interviewer. You let them talk, and you generate sincere empathy. New sub sir. Keep up the excellent work. Driving these streets really humble me and makes me grateful and appreciative, because i easily could have ended up there. Couple of old friends of mine live down there. Its unfortunate. Peace brotha

[@BiggaMyMan]

Fent Luigi was my favorite character in this episode.

[@Americana-ec]

Fentuccine

[@cozyfrog5535]

Quebecer !

[@Jabgash]

As someone who works at Insite, it's really encouraging to see someone just giving a platform to community members to speak their minds. Thanks a lot, Brandon. Much respect, dude.

[@Rileytrankle]

In 2016 I went on a spring break trip with 2 friends, one of our stops was Vancouver. We wandered around at night looking for food and ended up, undenounced to us, on a long stretch of East Hastings. That memory will always be with me. It was literally like The Walking Dead, SO many people. Later we had a EMS guy tell us to avoid that area, told him too late. Sad.

[@13igBird]

Unbeknownst*

[@mushyhoney9817]

It's way worse now than then too :(

[@miketownsend4416]

2010 winter olympics were wild. Telling unsuspecting tourist families to turn around just a few blocks after waterfront while we were hitting up red room and club 23 😅

[@lilyandlou7669]

​@@mushyhoney9817 naw it was the same shit

[@LongWarEnjoyer]

Thanks for making this. Born and raised in Van, It’s a nightmare dystopia, worse than I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been to LA.

[@kayne2075]

“Nightmare dystopia”😂

[@hardcodedsoftware4212]

​@@kayne2075 Literally a shithole lol

[@rob-j9i]

As a Vancouverite, just two minutes into the video I can tell this is such a more well-rounded take than that bs trash video from Tyler Oliveira. Can't just talk about decriminalization as a factor without mentioning the cost of living crisis, or many of the other factors, or the existence of this epidemic long before and after decriminalization.

[@rob-j9i]

And it's letting people just share their experiences without dehumanizing them or using them as pawns to push a message

[@J0hN_TF]

That guy's video was so ass, dude had an opinion going into it and the whole video was just confirmation bias

[@aleco678]

That guy is a goof

[@eviohh]

Found the NDP supporter.

@rob-j9i It wasn’t an epidemic before decriminalisation. The addicts themselves say it’s made things 100x times worse. Wtf does cost of living have do to with people taking fent? “Damn rents high better go start a drug addiction that will cost me everything” lol

[@Jeff-xz8ut]

Thanks for this one, really hits home. I've seen East Hastings first hand, and we have our own small version of this starting in Saskatoon, with our main shelter recently closing down. I'm of the opinion that a lot of this chaos is caused by the concentration of these services, not the sole existence of them. I hope we're able to see society start healing.

[@SandraGreen-sq6qq]

This deserves way more views!

[@BrandonBuckingham]

i think the Lebanon video got my whole channel suppressed

[@Snipethis97]

@@BrandonBuckingham Stop kidding yourself bro your known for covering gangster not terrorists lmao

[@Sellonwheelz]

@@Snipethis97 bro isn’t known for anyone thing. He can cook wherever he wants and I’ll be down af to watch

[@WUTANGCLAN705]

​@@BrandonBuckingham I think the government of Canada will get this suppressed further because you are showing the true side of what happens when you become a LIBERAL/ DEMOCRATIC political in Canada

[@d2usa235]

@@Snipethis97you are so annoying and stupid.

[@MistressUndead]

Some of these guys are such sweethearts. Some of them remind me of my friend I lost to addiction 3 years ago now. Rest in peace to those we've lost and blessings and good vibes to my brothers and sisters trying to get clean❤❤❤

[@Zackjjames]

I was born and raised on East Hastings. Having to avoid the needles and humans on the ground on my way to school was one of my biggest memories living there. In the suburbs now, as city living is nearly impossible in the lower mainland unless you don't mind seeing dead people and smelling crack smoke constantly

[@fox11]

31:25 - "did a deadlift of 1,700 lbs" - for anyone wondering, the world record is just over 1,100 lbs. This guy SMASHES records

[@ToxicYungBoyTv]

Thought I was trippin off the fetty when I saw you across the street in my ends. Big ups brotha thanks for shining light on this issue!

[@BrandonBuckingham]

ay if u ever see me again come say whats up

[@ToxicYungBoyTv]

@@BrandonBuckingham Will do you a real one man hopefully cross paths in the future. Appreciate you and the raw & real journalism you bring us keep it up🫡💯

[@COPSTOPPER-m2n]

Bro who cares about a guy on youtube think of your words you just wrote seriously only you can change... kinda sad you'd even write that

[@JepeFni]

@@COPSTOPPER-m2npretty sure it was a joke pertaining to the subject of the video buddy.

[@davejones8462]

@@COPSTOPPER-m2n1. Why are you on his channel if you don’t care 2. You’re a bitch lol

[@emmamarck5967]

thank you for this video, 39:30 this lady is so strong and I need to hear her voice every day... as a law student this resonates very hard

[@aidanbrown426]

been watching since 30k bro, youre doing good things for yourself n its good to see u healthy

[@haydengawlak4107]

hey brandon, i really appreciate you showing what it’s realistically like in vancouver. shedding light on the issues in Canada that seem to not be getting solved, continuing to get worse. it would be amazing if you’d be able to come to Edmonton in alberta Canada to show the issues that we’re also experiencing inside Canada’s drug epidemic. People are having to build elaborate shelters to survive, it can get up to -40 degrees here in the winter. people are building underground/ caves with support beams in spots that have been undetected for months, one was even under the high level bridge in the city. the housing crisis is such a big issue among canada, there have been shelters with running power, electricity and many other amenities like a working washing machine and running water. there was even tiled floors in the whole shelter bro😭 a man has came forward saying he had been living there since last winter, but it seems to have been build many years ago though. it be awesome if you’d consider to come over a province to add onto this episode 🥹 there’s so many people that appreciate you reporting on this💖

[@haydengawlak4107]

also i can’t explain all the issues to the full extent and how bad it actually is here, it’s very similar to vancouver in its issues and violence here.

[@ibezzant]

My first day as a tourist in Canada I was walking around Vancouver at night and it was so nice, then I stumbled into DTES. It was like walking straight on to the set of the Walking Dead. I've been to some horrible places in 3rd world countries and in the US but Hastings was the scariest.

[@kayne2075]

Lmaooo east Hastings is the scariest? Come on bro what are you talking about.

[@RhombusProductions]

I believe you. I've lived here all my life so I'm used to it.

[@ibezzant]

@@kayne2075 over the last 25 years I've been to the Tenderloin, South Bronx, South Central, Skid Row. Bad parts of Nicaragua. Hastings was the most sketchy. You go there at night and tell me how you feel.

[@josephmonkele5992]

​@ibezzant Been there at night several times. Saw a lot of people on drugs, but never felt in danger

[@wishteria234]

@@josephmonkele5992 I used to work down there, it is very dangerous and disgusting.

[@n0n9001]

Thanks Brandon. I’m seeing things like this in Vermont, yes tranq. It’s getting crazy.

[@BrandonBuckingham]

i need to visit vermont

[@-_Oddity_-]

I’m thankful I’ve not been addicted to anything and even more thankful to have a roof over my head.. I really appreciate your coverage of these issues and giving people like me a perspective on people like these in this situation to help understand that these are people too and deserve better.

[@Marty_YouTuber]

How are they people? and why do they deserve better? I deserve 2 million dollars but I have to work to become rich. These people deserve to get out of my country.

[@Zalinki]

Thank you for a more honest and broader approach to covering a city that's near and dear to me. Lots of other povertyporn slop out there with millions of views about Vancouver that really skew things.

[@BrandonBuckingham]

thank you for watching my video. i got my bachelors in animation and have been watching your videos for years

[@Zalinki]

@BrandonBuckingham Haha, I'm honored, cheers

[@whoszaq4148]

goddamn Buckingham you're almost to a million subs that growth was so quick. hell yeah well deserved!

[@alpacaman6256]

Brandon - you've had a wild ride on KZbin. From the DM drama / him acting like a little girl, to you having fun and going slightly mad in Thailand... To now - sharing the real world with us, talking to the real victims in the proper way (not condescending etc.) You are the man. Stay strong, I'm sure that was taxing to film.

[@wpgboi8166]

It’s always a great day when Brandon Buckingham posts a video

[@BrandonBuckingham]

@@wpgboi8166 thank you so much for watching

[@brimzs]

Enabling is not treatment . This level of enabling kills people .

[@edevane-valencia-productions]

Agreed! Finally some logic in the comments. Have a blessed day.

[@ibezzant]

Correct. These arguments of human rights and compassion are nonsense.

[@cotton_hill]

I'm a recovering addict and I think you're right. There's a fine line between enabling and being real help. Typically, if the addict wants the proposed thing, it's not good for them😂

[@draculinalilith396]

yes but in canada they offer euthenazia to young people who are depressed.

[@maskwew]

toxic drugs kill people. dirty needles spread disease and kill people. exposure kills people. gang violence kills people. safe supply and health care do not kill people

[@undercoverreseller205]

I lived and worked in an SRO in Gastown in the 90s. The Riverview closure and the drugs switching from heroin to rock was a nightmare. There was still a lot of humanity and I met some of the kindest people there, fentanyl is just the final nail in their coffins. Thanks for the real coverage, I hope you made some time to have conversations that weren't all about the troubles - there's some fascinating insights to be garnered from many of these people.

[@markbach2085]

Whaaaat I wish you were in town!!

[@BrandonBuckingham]

i was there back in august!

[@markbach2085]

Vancouver is my home but god damn is it brutal now a days with the drugs and homeless. Thanks for covering this dude!! You a real one. Cold ahh riding

[@markbach2085]

@@BrandonBuckinghamdamn dude! Anytime you ever want to come back hit me up if you remember I can house you and feed you if you need brother!

[@taylermightdoit1547]

I pray these people can find the light, get sober and do good in life. I’ve been through addiction and i know it’s hard but there’s always good!

[@J0hN_TF]

I used to work here as a security guard. The company made it very clear that you could die or contract hepatits/hiv etc if you're not careful. Loved that job though, hours and pay were shit but I was never bored haha.

[@jaksunsandberg4735]

I grew up on abbot and Cordova. Just a few blocks from here. My grandpa lives on Hastings and main in an apartment (not an addict) but definitely an interesting and character building childhood. Gives you insight on how crazy shit can really get. Most of these people are very nice people but have unfortunately gotten sucked into that world. Unfortunate and complicated situation. Thanks for documenting this Brandon ! Fuckin awesome work.

[@jdubs7756]

Glad your back to regular uploads!

[@BrandonBuckingham]

Me too! more to come!

[@MaximumPasta]

From one warzone to another. My man is out here in some of the coldest places on earth. Respect.

[@PhilomenaMerritt-e5e]

I can't believe how awesome this turned out!

[@carlyobenauer]

I lived on the corner of Dunlevy and Gore after completing treatment 16.5 years ago when I was 20. It was insane then and it’s worse now. I’m grateful to say I’m still clean and sober and I thank you for giving these people voices and shedding light on this ❤ I pray for everyone down there that is battling addiction and or mental health issues ❤

[@duke_dawae]

I was born in Vancouver in 1999. My dad was an addict and lives in a SRO in New West apparently one year clean after approximately 20-30 years of addiction. It's heartbreaking to see the lack of support the people in need get. Our home has become unlivable to those who want a humble existence. Materialistic and high income business people are the only ones who feel welcome here. The working class are faced with no light at the end of the tunnel, and the homeless are obviously not cared for.

[@dissraps]

Lack of support LOL there's MILLIONS of government dollars funneled every SINGLE day into the downtown eastside (feel free to google the actual statistics to back it up). It's literally THE most funded place in the entirety of canada they've wasted HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS

[@tye2492]

Big respect for the exposure you give to these areas. No sensational bullshit, just going into the community and interacting. I hope that you stay safe and the road rises to meet you.

[@bishopguy9090]

legend 🙏🏼

[@BrandonBuckingham]

thank you so much for watching

[@bishopguy9090]

@@BrandonBuckingham every video 🙏🏼 favorite YT by far , so fresh seeing the real side of people and honest journalism my man , God bless you and the work you’re doing !! if you’re ever in SA TX i’d love to meet you dawg , maybe help make content !! again God bless you and what you’re doing Brandon 🙏🏼🔥

[@Cornerkid82]

@@BrandonBuckingham you should do Sherbourne/Dundas area in Toronto. And Main street around North end in Winnipeg, it is the deadliest area in Canada in terms of M rate

[@davidchandler1034]

Brandon my guy, you and Andrew have really been levelling up man. Bravo 👏🏻

[@jacobgaunt5838]

The lady at the end brought tears to my eyes . I am a proud Canadian and this video hit me on a whole different level , these people deserve a fair chance at life , and we need our government to make changes ASAP . Pray for us 🇨🇦

[@RhombusProductions]

Maybe stop voting for retarded liberal leaders who use backwards logic? Who in their right mind even thinks that decriminalization leads to less drug use????

[@thenorthowl2033]

ACAB hat on. She voted for it.

[@sageoldmann5157]

Unfortunately, addiction is a choice. If these people don’t wanna help themselves, no one can help them. -An ex addict

[@Bokuzen035]

Most likely no one has failed them besides their selves. Everything they need to quit and fix their lives is already available. It's a choice to live like this

[@jacobgaunt5838]

@@sageoldmann5157 you clearly know very little about addiction or haven’t seen nor witnessed these situations first hand , I’m sure you think you have though .

[@mayhemmotorsports8411]

Brandon, SO GLAD YOUR BACK!!! I love all your videos and get immersed in your information and facts. I like how you take us with you on a trip and we get to sit front row through your experience. Thank you Buddy! -Cold Ass Rider Out!!

[@12Mparry]

I'll be 2 years sober off opiates on the 22nd of this month. Stay strong if you're dealing with an addiction and know it gets better. I have a second chance at life and I'm not going to waste it !!

[@kayblinky]

Proud of you. I hit 5 years in June. Its a great feeling.

[@liamingrouille9905]

Respect from BC for documenting this. The surrounding area's are also affected by this epidemic.

[@gboratto2739]

I do appreciate how you showed us a deeper look into my provinces ghetto essentially. Also greetings from BC

[@BrandonBuckingham]

greetings my friend

[@gboratto2739]

@BrandonBuckingham if you wanna do another Vancouver video I suggest doing one on Chinatown it's basically another drug den and tent city

[@cleigh3796]

@@gboratto2739 Chinatown borders the DTES on 1 or 2 sides. The delineation isn't clear because of the SROs in Chinatown that house people who hang out in the DTES, and because you'll find people using in doorways in Chinatown as well as Gastown, and downtown. And I don't think Chinatown has very many tents at all, I'd be surprised if there are any. You will find people sleeping in doorways at night though with sleeping bags and improvised cardboard structures. A Chinatown video would just go over what he said here. mentioning Chinatown (and downtown and gastown) would be useful as a side note on this video, because of how the DTES activities spill over into those neighborhoods. Chinatown hasn't been popping for years, not just because of the DTES.

[@thatboybbb]

I’ve had a few family members get lost in everything that goes on down there and it truly is a terrible trap, I wish the best for anybody that finds themselves down there and hope you find your way out 🙏

[@stg_tmc]

I’ve been going down to east Hastings for work several times a month for the past few years. This has been the video that’s done it the most justice.

[@SmokeDogg91]

Best video you've put out in awhile bro 💯

[@BrandonBuckingham]

Appreciate that brother. unfortunately it is performing very bad viewership wise

[@SmokeDogg91]

@BrandonBuckingham Don't let it get you down bro,your a great Internet personality 👌

[@nuzzlx]

My uncle was on East Hastings for years back in the 90s/early 2000s. Luckily he met someone who turned his life around, and he's become an amazing father of 2. Hes the uncle I've always felt closest to, and ever since he met me when I was a child, he treated me like an equal human being, and shows me so much love and compassion. It pains me to know how he had to struggle like that in the past, and I can only hope that the people on East Hastings today get an opportunity as fortunate as my uncles to clean their life up. It's also surreal seeing you in places I recognize, especially the suspension bridge and the forest within. I've been there sm times with family. Much love from Kelowna

[@afterthestorm221]

Through a blue lense, a 2003 documentary, covered this area and nothing much has really changed only evolved into a greater epidemic over 21 years.

[@jetfajita]

brandon finna hit 1 millions subs so soon its actually wild watching this growth

[@TyreaLSC]

its the hardest to own a home in any province after the last 9 years

[@cristophercolumbia]

My first ever Brandon video and it’s amazing thank you for exposing this

[@BrandonBuckingham]

@@cristophercolumbia thank you for watching

[@RavenThePlayer]

Living in Van this is a daily issue. It's like a living hell. It's harm production, not harm reduction.

[@dead_girl777]

the purpose of harm reduction is to prevent the rising amounts of overdose in recent years, not to encourage more drug use. studies and statistics have shown that overdoses have decreased in the past few years the more that safe supply and harm reduction were implemented. the philosophy is that addicts will use whether they have access to drugs or not and they will always find a way to use no matter if that supply is laced or unclean so to reduce the amount of deaths we must promote safe supply.

[@robertleeson1614]

Glad you're back and safe. The Bloodhound beats are a nice touch

[@adamnielsen3879]

I’m a recovering addict with three 3 years clean and sober. I spent a few years on the streets of the dtes and this only scratches the surface, it’s a lot darker than you think.

[@Sar-ahG]

This time for you is more dangerous than ever.. ( active recovery) you can’t go back!!

[@Turok.2009]

I love the guy you let hold the mic tho. I’d love to see him take that passion somewhere. Hope he gets to a better place.

[@WarlordRising]

Vancouver out here giving Skid Row and Kensington a run for its money. It's definitely a mixture of bad timing and bad luck. Skyrocketing rent prices. Bad year at work (pink slip). Unemployment benefits run dry. Hard time finding a new job. Oh, look, a way to escape. I'm not condoning it. I'm just saying people have their reasons, and it varies depending on mental health.

[@monkeyfloatsupreme5586]

Grew up in metro Vancouver and have been watching your vids for about 2 years now. Thank you for showing awareness to our beautiful province that is in crisis

[@RileyTelfer]

This and the Lebanon video were top tier.

[@BrandonBuckingham]

and both have about 20% of my normal viewership. KZbin is so weird

[@RileyTelfer]

@@BrandonBuckingham Censorship on KZbin is so prevalent when it comes to hard issues and real conversations (regardless of political views / opinions). Yet, somehow they let the creepiest, uneducated and misleading shit slide. You just gained a patron subscriber respect Brandon, keep up the excellent journalism. #mayonaise

[@firemeltedstorm3368]

@@BrandonBuckingham brother these are the reason we support your Patreon. You are making videos that matter not some cheap KZbin drama to get a check

[@finished6267]

dude i can't believe you made it to Vancouver, from Baltimore to Vancouver just like me. cheers

[@dubdubberson]

When you asked why they came down there, they all act like they went for moral reasons, then slipped and fell on a needle.

[@dead_girl777]

there's no need to judge how someone ends up on the streets because it can happen to anyone, even you. maybe you're down on your luck one day and one wrong step or one missed payment of rent, and it can all go downhill. there's also no reason to judge how one ended up as an addict because, likewise, it can happen to you too. addiction is a disease, and it's contagious. addiction is a byproduct of trauma, and it goes hand in hand with mental illness. there's not one person down on east hastings that has no mental illness or at least some form of trauma in their lives and the only way they know how to cope at this point in life is to use and there's no reason to judge them for that. I think you'll find that if you show more love and understanding, your life will be much happier.

[@alyssacavill4673]

Thank you for bringing awareness to these issues and helping break the stigma of the people struggling.

[@Curt-iy7ck]

I worked for one of these safe supply places. They're getting government funding. If the issue goes away so does the job where they hand out needles to drug addicts, they dont want that.

[@kltil5082]

The whole reason those jobs were created in the first place was because there was a problem. Not sure why you're acting like this is some conspiracy to keep people on drugs. They're doing drugs because they want to and do whether there are safe supplies or not.

[@cotton_hill]

It's not a conspiracy to assume people dont want to lose their jobs😂 ​@@kltil5082

@kltil5082 The problem that they made 10 times worse? You do know things that involve money can turn into a racket? Doesn’t need a conspiracy.

[@Cooe.]

​@@kltil5082You are absolutely clueless. 🤦😑 As a recovering hard drug addict, these "harm reduction" services simply entrench addiction long-term and make being an addict more comfortable. They do absolutely NOTHING to actually solve the root problems! Think of how many buprenorphine (Suboxone) prescriptions you could pay for with this level of government funding? That would ACTUALLY get people off drugs! "Harm reduction" is nothing but a massive scam meant to suck up as much government funding as possible instead of actually helping people get & stay clean. 🤷

[@notsuprisedmfers8630]

He didn't say there was a conspiracy to keep people on drugs, he obviously stated the blatant fact that if they were actually helping people, the money would disappear, which is why they have no incentive to help anyone

[@NK73080]

holy shit holy shit brandon buckingham came to my city also Capilano suspension bridge is not 10 mins from downtown That guy talking about the 3 different types of fent reminds me of my dad, he got hooked on oxy after his hip surgery from his job. He almost ended up down there. Its anyone anywhere. I thank God every day he's clean.

[@TheRedOGRE]

Ok my stance as a recovered addict. As someone who lived in Vancouver, got addicted to heroin, then it switched to fent. I've OD'd. I've seen friends die. I've been sober for 6 years now. Enabling doesn't help. Safe injection sites are a good thing, but also you need to be tough on addicts. The only reason I got sober was a couple of cops started harassing me and making my life miserable, arresting me, and i started facing some serious consequences. that's why I got sober , i said fuck this. If I don't get clean im going to jail or dying. These people need consequences. Their life needs to get to a point where it's so shit they decide to clean up their act. These people are living hard lives, but they are not at rock bottom. You can't help people like this. Not by giving them money, shelter etc. It's sad but that's how i feel having lived it. I got by on people giving me money and trust me that will never work. Things need to get so shitty you decide to change.

[@Dragula5x]

You're making the country a better place just by being yourself

[@juliusdasilva7593]

Great to finally see Vancouver in this style of video. We’ve had major drug and homeless problems since I was a kid but we get way way less coverage despite how bad it can get out here.

[@stuckinarabbithole]

Saw this briefly on Vancouver's sub reddit before the mods took it down. Vancouver will do almost anything to hide this problem from outside eyes.

[@kltil5082]

Or it's just already talked about to death and not relevant to what the mods are trying to do with the sub. This isn't some new or interesting topic for anyone who lives here

[@stuckinarabbithole]

@@kltil5082 That's strange because a vast majority of the people there and in the surrounding region seem to think that if these extremely traumatized people would just "get a job" or that if they were providing housing alone would entirely fix the situation. This is an insightful look in to how there is no simple route out of this situation for those that are in it. People seem incredibly ignorant of the realities of the people who actually go through this experience. I think many would find this eye opening when confronted with their predisposed notions of how to fix the downtown east side.

[@ZachBarrancoPoetry]

That dude he let have the mic towards the end of the video I really feel for, he’s so young, probably younger than me, I hope he gets back on his feet.. much love man

[@trevorwhatever2050]

"What happened to your hand?" "I was poisoned..." What she actually means is she poisoned herself but can't even admit it.

[@4850m-ve4qj]

And lying about not being allowed to go to the hospital. Complete BS.

[@annagarcia2493]

@@4850m-ve4qjas a nurse it’s horrifying treating these self inflicted wounds. I can barely keep it together and want to throw up and cry.

[@sushimaster29]

Hey man, I was a huge supporter of your Lebanon documentary, and seeing you produce another documentary-length incredibly localized and personally relevant social issue in the span of 10 days is absolutely mind-boggling. It's so easy to sell a gentrified Vancouver and pretend like all the rot in the city isn't smothering locals. It's such a callous hot pocket of elitism and performative activism. It's so hard for people to conceive the fact they're three bad days, mistakes or misfortunes to ending up on the streets. Shrinkflation, housing, job market, and social infrastructures has become so unreasonable in the past few years. The intersectionality between class, race, gender and disability is becoming bigger and bigger it's hard not to point the human killer of neo-capitlism

[@opraiderman904]

Bro is ZOOTED

[@RyanVentura604]

This was one of the best modern videos on the Downtown East Side. Respect!

[@pendizzy6352]

I got CLEAN and SOBER 14 yrs ago August 21 2010 , before all this Craziness (Fent etc) . I Pray for them all. some I probably know , But I would NOT recognize. I have 4 grandkids now and my daughter IS my neighbor. It IS Possible there is HOPE the pain is temporary YOU CAN get YOUR life back.

[@PinkTubeSox]

Missed ya Buck! Glad to see ya back

[@michaelcarter6405]

Very good videos. I live in Alberta BC has got nuts with the free death chemicals. It’s devastating and hard to deal with. Nice reporting man.

[@kellen4716]

30:42 so strong and so wise. sending much love

[@MA-hs8po]

This whole city is a dumpster fire in one way or another but the really crazy part is the level of gaslighting: "the best place on Earth"

[@infowarriorone]

Vancouver is a gorgeous city, but like any city these days there's a bad neighborhood.

[@MA-hs8po]

@infowarriorone ^ this is the gaslighting I'm talking about

[@infowarriorone]

@@MA-hs8po I've been to Vancouver many times, I have family who live there. That's why I know E. Hastings does not represent the entire city.

[@MA-hs8po]

@@infowarriorone so you don't even live here...

[@infowarriorone]

@@MA-hs8po I live in Toronto, but my father grew up in Vancouver and I consider it me second home.

[@zimarranger2300]

Ran through that hood all throughout my teen years… Seen everything from people sticking their necks with needles to people burning down tents out pure frustration and hatred. Left Vancouver and I’m never going back. Not until they improve the situation drastically.

[@danksidoodles]

OH....Canada.

[@ContagionV]

Lived in the lower mainland all my life, and while E Hastings has always been that way to some extent, watching these people, many of which have mental health issues, continue to be enabled so they can keep destroying their lives instead of getting any meaningful help is extremely sad. Nice to see some honest coverage of one of our biggest issues that seems to get swept under the rug constantly like its the status quo.

[@CrPio167]

Guy prolapsed his ass deadlifting 600 lbs more than the world record. What a champion!

[@leatherlacelunacy1179]

lol seriously - i believe his injury but theres no way he lifted 1700lbs. another loss to ego lifting.

[@MissPerriwinkle]

wow, the vancouver i remember from 25 yrs ago was incredibly georgous !!!!

[@MightyKingYoung]

The half of Canada they won't show you 🇨🇦 The other half is Indian 🇮🇳

[@sevel7556]

Toronto is Muslims, Niagara Falls area is all Indians, and BC is all Asians

[@davejones8462]

@@sevel7556and all these homeless whiteys. Pointless racism man

[@ana4472]

@@sevel7556BC is all indians now.

[@Gcm42011]

Love from south jersey B!

[@raymondyu412]

Legalizing drugs is crazy. We should be building more prisons, hiring more police, and changing the laws!

[@meowmp5]

i used to live on main and hastings, alot of my friends overdosed at such young ages. Thank you for spreading light on the suffering of these streets.

[@SensiProductionzBlindDogVideos]

Maine needs to be reported on. Anything you read, is nothing compared to the reality of the situation

[@streetbeefshd]

Facts! Maine isn't safe like news wants ya to think... Media blackout here.

[@SensiProductionzBlindDogVideos]

@@streetbeefshdyour comment is on newest results, but not top results for some reason. Idk why yt does that…

[@BrandonBuckingham]

i visited portland, augustus, and lewiston maine to try and document the homeless crisis but after hours of trying i couldn’t get a single person who wanted to speak. id like to try again one day

[@SensiProductionzBlindDogVideos]

@@BrandonBuckinghamI can help facilitate this, Portland was my playground for 15 years, I know everybody

[@SensiProductionzBlindDogVideos]

Portland hook stretches to Lewiston, auburn, Bangor, Sanford, and Augusta too. Ptown is where the rest will fall in place 😊 I grew up in Maine, was homeless for 10 years in Portland, but knew everybody. Kinda like you, I rarely meet people that don’t like me

[@rainman20230]

Well, this is a surprise, I wasn't expecting you to come to Canada. Great job, can't wait for your next video!

[@mysteryman447]

dude with the red hat sounds like boomhauer lol