I am a resident of White Rock, BC, Canada and I am deeply concerned about the safety of our community. The establishment of the safe injection site in our town has led to an increase in drug addicts and gang members frequenting our neighborhoods. This is not just my observation but a sentiment shared by many fellow residents.

While we understand that such facilities are designed to reduce harm for those struggling with addiction, it is also important to consider their impact on local communities. The latest data, released Tuesday May 7, shows at least 192 people died from B.C.’s toxic drug supply in March. At least 572 people in the first three months of 2024. Vancouver, Surrey and Nanaimo continue to report the highest number of unregulated drug deaths in 2024.

While this number may seem small compared to other areas, it represents a significant increase from previous years and coincides with the opening of the safe injection site.

The total number of responses to overdoses/poisonings (42,172) represented an increase of 25% from the previous year. The average monthly calls are more than 3,500 per month.

Moreover, there has been an uptick in crime rates since its establishment. According to data from the White Rock RCMP/whiterockcity.ca there were over 7500 calls to service in 2023. Many residents attribute this rise directly to the presence of drug users attracted by the facility.

We believe that there are alternative solutions that can help those struggling with addiction without jeopardizing community safety. We urge local authorities to close down the White Rock safe injection site while exploring other ways to support individuals battling substance abuse disorders.

Please sign this petition if you too want a safer community for all residents of White Rock.