New Westminster Council Debates Inhalation Site as Part of Crises Response Plan

This proposed plan aims to tackle addiction and homelessness in the city. While the initial discussion centred on whether to delay the project for further public consultation, attention quickly shifted to one of its most controversial elements—a proposed inhalation site. The debate grew so heated that Mayor Patrick Johnstone called a five-minute recess, allowing council members to regain composure before proceeding to a vote.

British Columbia continues to struggle with a severe drug crisis. As of June 2024, the province reported over 14,000 overdose deaths since the public health emergency was declared in 2016. Alarmingly, in the first half of 2024 alone, 84% of accidental opioid toxicity deaths in Canada occurred in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

The proposal to include an inhalation site—a facility where individuals can inhale illicit substances under medical supervision—has sparked significant debate. While Vancouver’s Insite has long provided supervised injection services, integrating inhalation services is a newer approach in Canada. Lethbridge, Alberta, introduced North America’s first regulated supervised inhalation site in 2019, and Prairie Harm Reduction in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, offers similar services.

During the council meeting, Councillor Minhas voiced concerns that the inhalation site could lead to increased crime in the surrounding area. This assertion prompted strong reactions from fellow councillors, escalating tensions and prompting the mayor to call a brief recess.

Mayor Johnstone reaffirmed the city’s commitment to compassionate solutions, stating, “New Westminster prides itself on its compassion. The Crises Response Pilot Project is a crucial step in addressing the challenges of addiction and homelessness in our community.”

The council ultimately voted on the project’s next steps, underscoring the community’s ongoing struggle to balance innovative harm reduction strategies with public safety concerns.