Policing space in the overdose crisis: A rapid ethnographic study of the impact of law enforcement practices on the effectiveness of overdose prevention sites

摘要: Abstract North America is in the midst of an overdose crisis. In some hardest hit areas Canada, local responses have included implementation low-threshold drug consumption facilities, termed Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS). Vancouver, Canada crisis and response occur urban terrain that simultaneously impacted by a housing which formerly ‘undesirable’ are rapidly gentrifying, leading to demands more closely police at epicenter We examined intersection street-level policing gentrification how these practices re/made space around OPS Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighborhood. Between December 2016 October 2017, qualitative interviews were conducted with 72 people who use drugs (PWUD) over 200 h ethnographic fieldwork undertaken surrounding areas. Data analyzed thematically interpreted drawing on structural vulnerability elements social geography. While established within existing social-spatial PWUD, strategies associated tactics created barriers services. Participants highlighted fear arrest engagement necessitated responding overdoses alone, rather than engaging emergency Routine near enforcement area restrictions warrant searches, often deterred participants from accessing particular sites. Further documented was increase number present neighborhood week of, proceeding, disbursement income assistance cheques. Our findings demonstrate law practices, driven part ongoing efforts buttressed multiple forms criminalization lives limited access needed overdose-related Moving away place-based including those gentrification, will be necessary so as not undermine effectiveness life-saving public health interventions amid