With the assistance of maps and visual representations of the spread of the illicit drugs, we observed the exponential increase in illicit drug overdose deaths. The Coroners BC spreadsheets permitted us to visualize and understand the magnitude of the increase in overdoses in the past years. Charts and maps have been most useful to us in order to comprehend the crisis in a geographical way.
Distribution
Although it is difficult to find concrete evidence in terms of organized crime and the drug trade, it has been deduced that fentanyl is coming to the our West Coast from Asia (China). Once it has arrived to British Columbia, drug traffickers are in charge of local distribution throughout the Province. The supply chain for illicit fentanyl starts in China, but Canadian drug use is a local issue that has been relevant for years. "No other country in the world consumes more prescription opioids on a per-capita basis, according to a recent United Nations report." (Globe and Mail) This makes Canada, and especially BC a perfect market for Chinese drug manufacturers. The methods of transportation for fentanyl vary from small courier shipments to larger cargo trafficking. Firstly, forums have been installed to enable virtual fentanyl deals overseas. The sites based in China guarantee delivery and ask customers for a credit card number and shipping address. It has been discovered that suppliers in China hide fentanyl in small decoy packages in order to infiltrate the Canadian border. It is illegal to open packages weighing less than 30 grams without sender consent, therefore shipping the illicit drug possesses low risk of being caught. In addition, fentanyl has been found hidden in cargo shipments in farm machinery and car parts. This explains the convenience of distribution in British Columbia, as it is situated on the coast, allowing an easy route into the Province from the waters of China. Because the illicit drug market is complex and efficient, it is unlikely that shipments will be stopped in the near future.
Although it is difficult to find concrete evidence in terms of organized crime and the drug trade, it has been deduced that fentanyl is coming to the our West Coast from Asia (China). Once it has arrived to British Columbia, drug traffickers are in charge of local distribution throughout the Province. The supply chain for illicit fentanyl starts in China, but Canadian drug use is a local issue that has been relevant for years. "No other country in the world consumes more prescription opioids on a per-capita basis, according to a recent United Nations report." (Globe and Mail) This makes Canada, and especially BC a perfect market for Chinese drug manufacturers. The methods of transportation for fentanyl vary from small courier shipments to larger cargo trafficking. Firstly, forums have been installed to enable virtual fentanyl deals overseas. The sites based in China guarantee delivery and ask customers for a credit card number and shipping address. It has been discovered that suppliers in China hide fentanyl in small decoy packages in order to infiltrate the Canadian border. It is illegal to open packages weighing less than 30 grams without sender consent, therefore shipping the illicit drug possesses low risk of being caught. In addition, fentanyl has been found hidden in cargo shipments in farm machinery and car parts. This explains the convenience of distribution in British Columbia, as it is situated on the coast, allowing an easy route into the Province from the waters of China. Because the illicit drug market is complex and efficient, it is unlikely that shipments will be stopped in the near future.
Exploring the DTES
Most Vancouverites are aware that the Downtown Eastside (DTES) is notorious for its open air drug trade, poverty, as well as people suffering of mental illness and homelessness. The "ghetto" began in the 1980s following the de-institutionalization of mentally ill individuals, and policies regarding prostitution and drugs that pushed involved individuals out of their areas and pulled them into the DTES. Funding for social housing also decreased, creating a hub of poverty, mental illness and drug trafficking in this concentrated area. Further, not all DTES residents are from the Vancouver area. The area is known to attract individuals with mental health and addiction issues from across BC and Canada as drug are easily accessible. Currently, In 2017, the DTES is struggling greatly with the fentanyl epidemic, as drugs were a prevalent problem before this particular crisis even emerged. Many addicts have resorted to fentanyl as it is affordable in comparison to other hard drugs. Fentanyl is very potent therefore a smaller amount can result in a "better high" for a cheaper deal. The Downtown Eastside community is very aware of the crisis as there have been many deaths following fentanyl overdoses. Th DTES is home to numerous drug awareness initiatives and safe drug use sites, in efforts to employ the "harm reduction" approach. These programs are key to reducing overdoses and raising attention to the issue, in order to work towards eradicating it.
Basic Research :
Geographic standpoint:
Fentanyl is being shipped overseas, are assumption based on research is that it is coming from China.
It can arrive undetected because it is stored in small packages that are not being checked
The Fentanyl crisis is an especially prominent issue in Vancouver due to its close proximity to the water.
The docks are where the illicit drugs are arriving.
This epidemic is slowly spreading from the coast of BC to the mainland.
The specific regions of BC:
The top three affected townships are Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.
All townships are situated near the water.
The Downtown Eastside is especially being affected because of the affordability and concentration of Fentanyl. It is a cheaper way for them to get high.
Reasoning - why is Fentanyl the primary culprit?
The overdoses have skyrocketed in the last year, this is attributed to the illicit drug Fentanyl.
Various drugs have been tested and oftentimes traces of fentanyl were found.
The amount of Fentanyl required to cause an overdose is so minimal, that it makes sense for Fentanyl to be the reason behind the increasing overdoses.
Some are even taking the drug continuously, proving Fentanyl is present in the BC drug trade.
Geographic standpoint:
Fentanyl is being shipped overseas, are assumption based on research is that it is coming from China.
It can arrive undetected because it is stored in small packages that are not being checked
The Fentanyl crisis is an especially prominent issue in Vancouver due to its close proximity to the water.
The docks are where the illicit drugs are arriving.
This epidemic is slowly spreading from the coast of BC to the mainland.
The specific regions of BC:
The top three affected townships are Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.
All townships are situated near the water.
The Downtown Eastside is especially being affected because of the affordability and concentration of Fentanyl. It is a cheaper way for them to get high.
Reasoning - why is Fentanyl the primary culprit?
The overdoses have skyrocketed in the last year, this is attributed to the illicit drug Fentanyl.
Various drugs have been tested and oftentimes traces of fentanyl were found.
The amount of Fentanyl required to cause an overdose is so minimal, that it makes sense for Fentanyl to be the reason behind the increasing overdoses.
Some are even taking the drug continuously, proving Fentanyl is present in the BC drug trade.