A city councillor in Nanaimo, British Columbia, is asking the city to request the closure of a supervised drug injection site located next to city hall. This move follows months of concern over safety issues and community disturbance in the area.
Councillor Ian Thorpe plans to introduce a motion at the upcoming city council meeting. The motion will urge council members to formally ask Island Health, the regional health authority, to shut down the overdose prevention site on Albert Street.
Thorpe voiced his concerns during a council meeting on July 21. He stated that the city needs to tell the provincial government that it has reached its limit with ongoing disorder tied to the site. According to Thorpe, many residents and staff working nearby feel unsafe due to growing incidents of intimidation and aggressive behavior.
The issue has been a point of debate in Nanaimo for several months. At a council committee meeting on July 16, city staff proposed building a 1.8-metre-high fence around city hall. The goal was to protect staff and visitors from disturbances linked to the nearby injection site. However, council voted against the proposal.
The fence, which was estimated to cost $412,000, sparked mixed reactions among officials and the public. Mayor Leonard Krog voiced doubts about the effectiveness of the measure. He noted that while the fence might offer some physical protection, it could also send the wrong message. According to the mayor, creating a barrier would not solve the root of the issue and might suggest the city is trying to wall itself off from people struggling with addiction.
Krog also acknowledged that staff have been facing harassment and fear while working in the area. However, he emphasized the importance of addressing the issue with long-term strategies instead of quick fixes like fencing.
The overdose prevention site was set up to reduce the risk of drug-related deaths in the community. It provides a safe space for individuals to use substances under medical supervision. Supporters argue that it saves lives, reduces the spread of disease, and connects users to health and social services. Critics, however, say the site has brought disorder, including public drug use and safety risks near city hall.
City staff had said the site is linked to an increase in calls for police and emergency services. They also mentioned reports of threats, verbal abuse, and even physical violence targeting city workers and members of the public.
Councillor Thorpe’s motion reflects growing frustration among some council members and residents. While some still support the goals of the injection site, others say its location is inappropriate and has led to a decline in the area’s livability.
If the council approves Thorpe’s motion, a formal request will be sent to Island Health. The regional health authority would then decide whether to keep the site open or consider relocation or closure. Island Health has not yet commented on the upcoming motion.
The council meeting is scheduled for Monday, where members will debate and vote on the proposal. The outcome could affect not only the future of the injection site but also how Nanaimo balances public health and community safety.
This debate in Nanaimo reflects a broader issue facing many Canadian cities. As communities deal with rising overdose rates and public safety concerns, finding the right approach remains a complex and often divisive challenge.
