A heated debate over a proposed supervised drug consumption site in Richmond erupted on Monday, as hundreds of protesters gathered outside City Hall to voice their opposition to the plan.
The protesters, many of whom held signs saying “no drugs, no drugs,” chanted loudly before the council meeting where more than 100 speakers were slated to share their views on the controversial proposal.
Council had voted 8-1 last week to explore the possibility of establishing a supervised consumption site on the hospital grounds, where people who use drugs could test and consume them under medical supervision.
The site would also provide recovery and treatment services, according to a statement from the city on Sunday.
City officials said the sites are meant to prevent overdose deaths and connect people with health and social services.
However, some residents and community groups remained unconvinced, fearing that a supervised consumption site would increase crime, violence and drug trafficking in the area.
They also questioned the effectiveness of the sites in reducing drug-related harms and deaths.
The only dissenting voice on the council was Coun. Chak Au, who voted against the motion to explore the site last week.
He argued that the motion was not a genuine consultation, but a directive to staff to implement the site.
Au also claimed that supervised consumption sites had not reduced deaths in other parts of the Lower Mainland.
“The question is if injection sites were truly effective, we should be witnessing a decline in the number of tragic deaths,” said Au.
The council will make a final decision on whether to proceed with the proposal after hearing from all the speakers on Monday.
