By David P. Ball
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Before founding Vancouver's Overdose Prevention Site, Sarah Blyth was elected to municipal politics. So council's call for a drug law exemption last week inspired hope.

Harm reduction is proven to save lives, likely thousands. But that hasn't made it much easier, for politicians to try to end the drug war fueling those deaths.

That's why the founder of Vancouver's Overdose Prevention Site (OPS), originally established as an illegal supervised consumption facility in the Downtown Eastside, is praising city council for becoming the first one in Canada to call for decriminalization.

Blyth talked to The Pulse on CFRO about Vancouver’s drug decriminalization push, which last week asked the federal government for an exemption under the Controlled Substance Act. If approved -- which the Minister of Health has the authority to do for scientific, medical of public interest reasons -- Vancouver would be Canada's first city to decriminalize simple possession of drugs.

She said the council decision "takes guts," but the results and lives saved will be proof enough that the brave choice was also the correct one.

Blyth also discussed how harm reduction workers like her are bracing for a difficult holiday season, with the COVID-19 pandemic pushing many more people to the brink and exacerbating previous mental health and substance use struggles. She says OPS is getting ready for increasing numbers over the holidays, knowing it's a very challenging and stressful time for many. They've even brought in a Santa Claus -- and are reminding people who use drugs to come to OPS or another safe consumption site, or always be with a friend, never alone.