the demographics of addiction in the DTES

The Downtown Eastside Demographic Study of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) and Social Housing Tenants, was completed in July 2008 by the City of Vancouver to examine many aspects and demographics of DTES residents. Included in this was the issue of drug use, which provided a look into the reach of drug addiction in the area.

Over half of the respondents, 57 percent said they were drug users including 28 percent who responded they were regular users.

Respondents were asked to identify the type of drugs they use and to estimate the cost of their substance use.  

Of those who responded they were active drug users: 51 percent said they use marijuana, 35 percent said they use crack, 13 percent reported using cocaine, 10 percent reported using heroin, and four percent responded they were crystal methamphetamine users. Some respondents did report that they use more than one drug. 

In terms of the total cost of their habits: the estimated average cost was $30 per day. Eleven percent estimated their drug addiction use to be more than $100 per day. $20 per day was spent by 45 percent of respondents, 34 percent of respondents said they spent $5 to $19 per day on drug use, while 22 percent of respondents spent less than $5 per day.

For respondents who identified as active drug users, over half- 57 percent- said they began their drug use at age 16 or younger and 73 percent reported alcohol abuse beginning at age 16 or younger.

Addiction and the DTES : FACTS

ADDICTION: as defined by Vancouver Coastal Health, who operates Insite supervised injection site, “addiction is a chronic, relapsing illness. It is defined as a compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance.”

For the purposes of this blog I will be focusing on the substance abuse of the most prevalent drugs in Vancouver’s DTES: injection drugs including heroine, cocaine, and morphine.

Addiction is not an isolated problem. It is not just a social problem in the DTES area.  Addiction affects people of all ages, ethnicity, cultures, income, and education level and in all types of communities. The concentration of substance abuse in Vancouver’s DTES thrusts it into the spotlight as a high use area and tends to result in a significant amount of coverage and profiling of the DTES.

Addicts are often viewed by others as inadequate or dangerous. These people also have been shown to be discriminated against which perpetuates the cycle of addiction by restricting them from employment, health care, housing, and social assistance that they need. This stigma imparted on addicts also has been shown to make them less likely to seek help or discuss their addiction problems, often further deepening them into substance abuse.