Missions, city battle drug and crime increase
Highest HIV rate in the developed world makes Vancouver take notice
By
Debra Fieguth
ChristianWeek staff
VANCOUVER–The city that has been described by many a visitor as the most beautiful in the world is now struggling with an uglier reputation. Drugs, crime and disease have riddled the downtown eastside; the rate of HIV is reported to be the highest in the developed world, outpacing Bangkok and New York.
"We’re buried in a city laden with disease," says Maurice McElrea, president of Union Gospel Mission, situated in the heart of the downtown eastside. "Hope has been excommunicated. Dignity has been sold for the $10 needed for the next fix." Last year 236 people died of drug overdoses in Vancouver, compared to 67 in Toronto, a much larger city.
Quoting a television commentator, McElrea says the despairing people swarming the streets in the area aren’t at the bottom of the ladder: "These are people who can’t even find the ladder."
"We’re having a lot more trouble with the women," adds Clifford Heggs of Crossfire Ministries, which reaches out to prostitutes. "They’re not being responsible, not looking after their children. They care very little about themselves. Truly their god has become the drug."
Solutions to the ever-increasing cycle of addiction, prostitution, crime and disease have ranged from free condoms and a needle exchange program (2.3 million clean needles distributed last year) to more social housing and thoughts of decriminalizing drug use.
So far, "everything is failing," says McElrea.
