The Vancouver City Council voted in favor of the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) proposal for a “compassion club” model on October 7. A “compassion club” follows a similar format as a safe consumption site, but also gives out tested and safe substances. DULF is seeking federal exemption from Section 56 of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. Should they receive this federal exemption, then they can legally hand out controlled substances like cocaine, meth, and heroin. 

Known as the “compassion club” model, DULF looks to open safe places where people can consume drugs in a safe environment similar to a safe consumption site. But what makes “compassion clubs” different from safe consumption sites is that the clubs will also offer federally tested and standardized drugs. Safe consumption sites only offer anti-overdose medications should someone accidentally overdose on something they bring in. 

DULF plans to specifically set up in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. This area is known for higher morbidity and mortality overdose rates. “We’ve tried every other avenue to prevent this death. And we know what we’re doing will work,” explained one of DULF’s co-founders, Eris Nyx. 

Fulfilling a Need

This previous summer, DULF handed out federally tested and safe drugs to community members outside of the Vancouver police department. “Of the 1,000 total packages we’ve given out, zero overdoses have been reported,” Nyx said. It shows how safe and clean drugs can prevent unnecessary doses, she added.

In recent years, fentanyl-related deaths have been on the rise. Many fatal overdoses have been attributed to fentanyl-laced substances. Unfortunately, the fentanyl typically becomes discovered in a post-mortem exam. In 2020, British Columbia saw a record high amount of fatal overdoses, with a total 1,734. So far in 2021, there have been 1,204 in the same area as of July 31. 

Next Steps

With the Vancouver City Council’s approval, they will support DULF’s federal exemption application. Additionally, the Mayor, Kennedy Stewart, will write in support of DULF’s exemption to the federal government. They are the ones who will issue the final say regarding exemptions. Another organization, TheraPsil, has also received a few Section 56 exemptions for their healthcare workers to administer psilocybin for therapy purposes. Exemptions are possible, but they may take a while.

In the meantime, DULF is running on donations to purchase meth, cocaine, and heroin from legal markets. This is a condition of the city council’s approval. The illicit black market won’t become supported through DULF. This will further protect people and prevent unnecessary overdose deaths from contaminated substances. 

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