Vancouver police are warning the public after a cluster of seven overdoses occurred in the Downtown Eastside on Tuesday evening, sending one person to hospital. The Vancouver Police Department said in a statement that officers responded to multiple calls between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the area near East Hastings Street and Columbia Avenue.
Details of the overdoses
According to police, all seven individuals were found unresponsive but were revived with naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. One person was transported to hospital in stable condition, while the others declined further medical attention. Police did not confirm the substance involved but noted that fentanyl is commonly found in the area.
“We are deeply concerned about this sudden spike in overdoses,” said Constable Tania Visintin, a Vancouver police spokesperson. “We urge anyone using drugs to take extra precautions, not use alone, and ensure they have naloxone on hand.”
Ongoing crisis in the Downtown Eastside
The Downtown Eastside has been at the epicenter of British Columbia’s overdose crisis, which has claimed thousands of lives since a public health emergency was declared in 2016. In 2025, the province reported over 2,500 illicit drug toxicity deaths, with Vancouver accounting for a significant portion.
Community advocates have called for more supervised consumption sites and access to treatment. The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) emphasized the need for a safer supply to reduce the risk of contaminated drugs.
“Every overdose is preventable,” said Sarah Blyth, executive director of the Overdose Prevention Society. “We need to ensure people have a safe place to use and access to clean drugs.”
Police response and resources
Police are working with Vancouver Coastal Health and other partners to monitor the situation. They remind the public that naloxone kits are available at pharmacies and community centers, and that anyone witnessing an overdose should call 911 immediately.
“We want people to know that help is available,” Visintin added. “Don’t hesitate to call for emergency services—it can save a life.”
