Nanaimo council is to decide at its Monday meeting if the peer-run overdose-prevention site on Nicol Street should be declared a nuisance in the wake of ongoing complaints from the neighbourhood.
A staff report recommends designating the service, run by the Nanaimo Area Network of Drug Users (NANDU), a nuisance, which means fines could be imposed for calls for city service, including police.
Late last year council asked staff to step up attention at the 264 Nicol St. property. RCMP increased bike patrols as well.
The city and RCMP have received complaints since April 2022, shortly after NANDU opened. These include reports of drug dealing, drug consumption in nearby alleys, noise, assaults, garbage, graffiti, intimidation, harassment and property damage, the report said.
One of the issues is that a recreational vehicle is being used as accommodation, which is against municipal bylaws.
Many neighbourhood complaints centre around nighttime activities relating to the RV, such as people yelling, groups gathering, arguments, fights, fireworks and the operation of noisy generators, all taking place outside the hours the consumption centre is open.
An elderly neighbour who was undergoing cancer treatments had their sleep interrupted several times a week, staff said.
City bylaw staff asked that the RV not be used for accommodation but issues are continuing.
Proponents argue that peer-supervised consumption is vital to keeping people alive. They maintain that drug users trust fellow users and are more willing to take their advice.
NANDU’s site is busy, with an spokesperson saying it sees 200 people per day.
A new overdose prevention facility, operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association’s mid-Island branch, opened December. Work there is ongoing, and it is expected to eventually offer a range of services, including overdose prevention, treatment options, and primary health care to reduce the risk of toxic drug poisonings and to connect people to lifesaving supports.
