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Why involuntary treatment for B.C.’s addiction crisis is getting a closer look
Involuntary treatment is growing in interest. And B.C. plans to build 2,000 new homes.
Geoff Sharpe
April 14, 2023
Good morning,
Some good news for once. The big earthquake off the coast of Vancouver Island did not cause a tsunami. Unfortunately, the bad news is we’re still due for “the big one.”
A small correction from Wednesday’s newsletter. In the introduction, I wrote I understood the lack of transit options in smaller B.C. communities because when I was younger, I grew up in Vancouver. I meant to say I grew up on Vancouver Island. Needless to say, my brother was understandably confused when he read it. Thanks for the catch bro!
Today we’ve got a big look at involuntary treatment in B.C., a new plan to build affordable housing and some helpful food lists as you plan your weekend.
Onwards!
— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity newsletter writer.
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WEATHER
Friday: 13 🌡️ 7 | ⛅
Saturday: 11 🌡️ 7 | 🌧
Sunday: 10 🌡️ 3 | 🌧
Monday: 9 🌡️ 4 | 🌧
VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS
💰 $32,000: The average yearly one-bedroom cost for renters in Vancouver. The cost has grown 17.3 percent year-over-year.
🔋 18%: The percentage of light-duty cars sold in 2022 that were electric. That’s up from 13% in 2022. [Urbanized]
HEALTH
Why involuntary treatment for B.C.’s addiction crisis is getting a closer look
What’s going on: As B.C., Vancouver and cities across the country face a growing mental health and drug addiction crisis, some groups are calling for an increase in what’s called involuntary treatment. But does this treatment actually help or hurt patients?
Background: In B.C., involuntary treatment is a process under B.C.’s Mental Health Act where “a person can be detained in a psychiatric facility if a doctor deems it necessary for their health and safety, as well as the safety of others,” according to CBC.
Historically, this was a common approach for dealing with people with severe mental illness. Asylums housed people with entrenched disorders, against their will. The asylums were shuttered due to human rights violations decades ago, according to Globe and Mail.
Why involuntary: With such massive addiction and mental health issues in cities, experts are looking once again at this policy as a solution. One such facility, the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction, was profiled in the Globe and Mail as an involuntary program that the organization says is yielding results for patients.
How it works: Patients usually have failed many other treatments before joining. The program is a five-to-nine-month program, and they attend sessions that include art therapy, money management and gym sessions.
The organization’s data shows 92 percent of patients reported improved mental health outcomes and a similar number for people recovering from alcoholism, according to the Globe and Mail. A study is ongoing to look at outcomes post-release.
Back in August 2022, Premier David Eby called for an expansion of mandatory treatment, according to CBC. But the Premier recently softened his tone, trying to differentiate between people who are likely to self-harm and those who are dealing with addiction, who may be less inclined to seek help if they could be forcibly confined, he told the Vancouver Sun.
Opposition to the plan: In a position paper released in March, Pivot Legal Society came out forcefully against involuntary treatment. They argue it creates mistrust in the health system, forcing people to choose whether to seek or not seek help, and reduces people’s rights and autonomy to make their own decisions about their health.
Tyson Singh Kelsall, a PhD student at SFU’s Health Sciences also pointed out that “emerging evidence shows that involuntary abstinence leads to increased non-fatal overdose and premature death—in other words, such a social policy would kill more people.”
The Tyee interviewed writer Rob Wipond who argued forcefully against it using his father’s experience in his book Your Consent Is Not Required. You can read the interview here.
Thought-bubble: Politicians appear to be grasping at any solution, no matter how uncertain the evidence, to solve the rising mental health and addiction epidemic facing cities. As the recent crackdown on the encampment in East Hastings shows, they may be more willing to act decisively if they feel the problem is spiralling out of control.
HOUSING
Yes, it’s another housing story
Not another housing story you might be saying? Well, this one is mostly good news for once.
What’s happening: B.C. has announced a plan, along with Metro Vancouver, to build 2,000 more affordable homes throughout the region in the next 10 years, according to CBC. While it’s just a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and is not shovels in the ground, it signals an increased focus by the provincial government on arguably the biggest issue facing Vancouver.
The numbers: $158 million will be invested by the province over the next three years, alongside an investment by Metro Vancouver of $217 million over 10 years. The first phase will deliver 660 homes. Federal funding is being worked on, which in press-release speak, means, well, they don’t have it yet.
Locations: The spots include one in Vancouver, two in Burnaby, one in Pitt Meadows and one in Coquitlam according to Storeys. The Vancouver location is 788 West 13th Avenue in Mount Pleasant. (That’s only two blocks away from one of my favourite takeaway spots, Indian Roti Kitchen.)
Background: The announcement comes one week after the province announced their housing strategy, which includes $4 billion over three years, and $12 billion in the next decade, according to CTV.
Yes, but: An MOU is not legally binding. The housing plan recently announced by the B.C. government also has no bill attached to it and won’t be spelled out until the fall. So we’ll have to wait and see if the proposals bear any results.
THE AGENDA
⚖️ A man charged with second-degree murder was sentenced to 30 months in jail after a fight between the two in the Downtown Eastside in 2019 turned deadly. [Vancouver is Awesome]
🧨 Dynamite and fentanyl are an odd combination, but that’s what police found after a drug bust in Metro Vancouver on Wednesday. [Global]
🇨🇳 The Chinese Canadian Museum in Chinatown received $10 million in funding from the B.C. government. The museum will be located at 51 East Pender St., and will open July 1. [Urbanized]
🏗 A concept design for the old Army and Navy building in Gastown would see multiple buildings with mixed usage and higher density, with retail space, restaurants, bike parking spots, childcare space and a residential tower with 155 rental units, 111 market units, and 44 affordable housing apartments. [Urbanized]
🚎 Unifor, the union representing Metro Vancouver Transit workers, and Coast Mountain Bus have ratified a new contract. It includes wage increases, guaranteed minimum work hours and more. It affects 5,000 transit workers. [Global]
🚓 Squatters who were living on an abandoned expensive property in Vancouver were arrested and removed from the site. [Vancouver Sun]
🌲 The Sea to Sky Fund is a new effort to support the Sea to Sky Region, by having local businesses add a small fee that goes towards helping the natural environment in the area. [Business in Vancouver]
🚨 The province released their plan to deal with repeat violent offenders, which includes local hubs that bring together police, and other stakeholders to go after prolific offenders. The hubs are located in most major B.C. cities, including Vancouver. [CTV]
EVENTS
Sports
Vancouver Canadians | Nat Bailey Stadium | Apr. 14-16 | Come watch the baseball team play the Tri-City Dust Devils | Starting at $20.
Food + Drink
FEAST! Vancouver Festival | Now until Saturday | Top-class culinary celebration with some of the best Canadian chefs | Starting at $55.
Heart of Vancouver Public Market | West 17th Ave. at Cambie St. | Apr. 15 10 am - 3 pm | Shop locally grown produce alongside a ton of vendors selling fresh food and goods | Free to attend.
Sakura Days Japan Fair | VanDusen Botanical Garden | Apr. 15-16 | Celebrate all things Japan, like sake, tea tasting and cultural performances | Free.
Brewhalla Beer and Music Festival | The Shipyards 125 Victory Ship Way North Vancouver | Tonight 5 pm-10 pm | 29+ craft beers, wine, cider and even non-alcoholic drinks, plus music | Tickets $37.
Science
Extravagant Evenings for Teens | Science World | Today, 6 pm-9 pm | A place for teens with similar interests to connect and have fun | Free.
Art + Culture
Kenny Sebastian | Vogue Theatre | Apr. 16, 7 pm-9 pm | Indian comedian performance at Vogue Theatre | Starting at $39.50.
Gallery George Opening Reception | 140 W Hastings St | Apr. 15 6 pm-9 pm | A new location opening features lighting sculptures, sculptures, photography, painting and more | Free.
VMO Spring Concert | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Saturday 7:30 pm | Come see award-winning conductor Ken Hsieh and piano soloist Ikuyo Nakamichi | Tickets $43.93
Movies
Singin' in the Rain | VIFF | 11:30 am | #10 in the 2022 Sight & Sound greatest movies of all time. A true classic | Tickets $18.
The Evil Dead Trilogy | Rio Theatre | Saturday 7 pm, 9 pm and 11 pm | The cult-classic horror/comedy by Sam Raimi | Tickets $11.41
CITY HALL
Here’s a quick summary of some stories you might’ve missed at city hall this week.
More events: On Wednesday we wrote about an upcoming council decision to allow more events in non-traditional locations: think warehouses and the like. On Wednesday council approved the motion unanimously, according to Vancouver is Awesome. Staff will review current bylaws and report to council in June about increasing the number of events. Hopefully they’ll change it in time for the summer.
Wine time: Though it might be a while before more unconventional event spaces arrive, it’ll soon be easier to drink before those events. Vancouver joins other municipalities like Langley and Coquitlam, allowing wine to be sold in grocery stores, according to Global. Save on Foods is already looking into it for Vancouver, according to Business in Vancouver.
Trouble in Sim city? An opinion piece by Kirk LaPointe raises some questions about the turbulence associated with Mayor Ken Sim’s time as mayor. He points out the mayor ran on keeping taxes down, but then raised them with his budget. The story also points out the challenges associated with existing city staff, which the author argues are causing Sim to not be able to move his plans forward as quickly as he’d like, saying about housing, “it will come at a pace council and not the city staff proposes.”
FOOD
Festival feasts and swooning Peking duck
Reviews
Mot32: A food reviewer “swooned” about the Peking duck at this Chinese restaurant. It also has vegan options and uses about 80 percent local ingredients. [Vancouver Sun]
VV Tapas Lounge: Standouts include their charcuterie boards with a fantastic wine list. Apparently the wine flight is a must. [Dished]
Openings
Parker Rooftop: A place to try this summer, this rooftop restaurant at the Parker Hotel has a focus on “caviar, cocktails, and canapes.” Fancy! [Dished]
Don: A playful fine dining spot serving up Asian fusion dinners. And the photos are lovely. [Dished]
News you can use
North Vancouver’s food trucks are returning with even more options this year, including ice cream and Indian food. The list of places where they’ll be including “Bridgman Park, Lions Gate Plaza, Inter River Park, Lynn Canyon Park, Lynn Valley Park, Maplewood Farm and Parkgate Park.” [North Shore News]
There’s a Vancouver Brewer Fest happening April 21-30, with behind-the-scenes tours, tastings and opportunities to meet the brewers. [Scout]
Try out a vegetarian Omakase-style dinner at Folke Restaurant. It’s a meal with real flower power. Tickets cost $85 per person. [Scout]
If you’re in the mood for smash burgers — and let’s be honest, who isn’t — you’ll love this helpful guide. Number two is my personal favourite. [Dished]
The Michelin-recommended restaurant has something called a Chef’s Lab where they’re creating Italian dishes with a Latin flair. Yum. Check it out on Tuesdays. [Stir]
Cookbook author Joie Alvarao Kent shares some places in Vancouver to eat Filipino food, including PinPin Restaurant, Pampanga’s and two others. If you’ve ever wondered about Filipino food, this is a helpful guide. [Scout]
The Japan Market Summer Festival is back on June 10 and 11 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Food, artisans and local businesses will be there to enjoy. [Dished]
Speaking of night markets, here are four ones this summer worth checking out. [Curiocity]
MEME OF THE DAY
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
You can now fly straight from Vancouver to Dubai. [Business in Vancouver]
Lonely? This guide for singles may be what you need. [Daily Hive]
There’s a lively discussion on Reddit about whether pets should be allowed on transit during non-peak hours. Thoughts?
Okay, this discussion is an hour long, but if you’re interested in housing policy, you’ll want to watch this video with Abundant Housing Vancouver and the B.C.’s Minister of Housing. [YouTube]
A video captured rodents celebrating in the streets. Could it be because of Vancouver’s rat poison ban? [National Post]
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Reddit user enygma9 shared this historical photo of Robson Street at Denman in 1947. Does anyone else wish we still had those cool streetcars?
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