Skip to content
DOWNTOWNEASTSIDE.ORG
  • Community
  • Housing
  • Healthcare
  • Policy
  • Addiction
  • Order
  • Voices
  • Culture
  • Help Guide

Drugs

Image of a person holding a bag filled with blue pills in front of their face
Addiction

Nitazenes Poised to Eclipse Fentanyl in Canada’s Opioid Crisis

As Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside struggles with the devastating toll of fentanyl, a new and potentially deadlier class of synthetic opioids—nitazenes—is making its way into ...
Photo capturing drug paraphernalia scattered across the sidewalk of Downtown Eastside Vancouver
Policy

BC Drug Policy: An Alternative Vision Amid Controversy

As British Columbia approaches a provincial election, the BC Conservatives have drawn attention with their approach to addressing the drug crisis, particularly in Vancouver’s ...
Two men openly use drugs in problematic Downtown Eastside Vancouver amidst drug epidemic in Canada
Voices

Josh Dehaas: Japan Shows Canadians Don’t Need to Accept Urban Disorder

In a thought-provoking opinion piece, journalist Josh Dehaas argues that Canada’s current approach to drug addiction and urban disorder has failed, pointing to Japan ...

Addiction Advocacy Affordability Art Bail Reform Business Charity Community Support CPC CRAB Park Crime David Eby Decriminalization Disorder Documentary Drug Policy Drugs Emergency Departments Encampment Event Gentrification Harm Reduction Healthcare Heart of the City Festival Homelessness Housing Housing Crisis Involuntary Care Justice Justin Trudeau Ken Sim Mental Health Naloxone Opioid Crisis Overdose Performance Poll Poverty Provincial Election Reconciliation Research Safe Supply Safety Save Our Streets Shelter Social Housing Social Justice SRO VPD Youth

Have a story for us?

Send a tip, a document or a question to the editor.

Contact the editor →

Downtown Eastside home

Coverage

Housing

Community

Policy

Healthcare

Addiction

Public safety

Voices

Culture

The publication

About us

All articles

Contact & corrections

RSS feed

Help Guide

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Bluesky
  • Threads
  • X
  • Community
  • Housing
  • Healthcare
  • Policy
  • Addiction
  • Order
  • Voices
  • Culture
  • Help Guide

FEATURED

A sidewalk covered in fallen autumn leaves on East Hastings Street in Vancouver with an individual lying on the ground near local storefronts and passersby.

October 23, 2026

Community

The Downtown Eastside’s Right to an Ordinary Life

Kris C

Close-up of a section of Richard Tetrault's collaged mural featuring expressionist figures, newspaper clippings, and abstract street elements.

October 23, 2026

Culture

At Heart of the City, the Neighbourhood Keeps Its Own History

Teresa G

Elevated view looking down East Hastings Street in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside showing sidewalk crowds, traffic, and historic buildings.

October 22, 2026

Policy

Vancouver’s Drug Vote Demands an Answer

Kris C