In my first blog post I seemed to be particularly specific within incorporating the
key issues that are contributing to the Downtown East Side’s lack of development. By
targeting the key issues I was also speaking heavily about the causes; such as
prostitution, poverty, and drug abuse. These specific issues all contribute to the
saddening fact that the Downtown East Side is on a heavy spiral towards an altering
path. The reason the Downtown East side has reached such a dramatic stage of discomfort
and destruction is due to the government’s inability to enforce the key problems; which
then turn into the causes. Problems such as poverty, prostitution, and drug abuse are
the cause for the Downtown East Side’s lack of development. The issues resulting in the Downtown East Side are much more serious than though of.
Vancouver is a very well know city. It is recognized for its sky rise buildings, clean neighborhood’s, family inviting environments and its city vibe. But it is very seldom that people witness the residences in Vancouver that lacks these developments. The Downtown East Side is a condensed environment where all the negative attributions are suffocated into one location; causing a vast eruption and an overwhelming amount of drug usage and prostitution.
Specific issues that have resulted in an increase of poverty in the Downtown East Side are: demolishing of low income housing units for the development of high scale developmental projects such as the Olympics. The increase of prostitution in the Downtown East Side is due to the funding cuts for women centers, and rape crisis centers. The growing rate of poverty in the Downtown East Side is forcing women into the survival trade (sex trade), to support drug habits and pay bills. Although the sex trade is frowned upon , the lack of interest that police, politicians and society have to make the environment safer, is creating a higher crime rate in the Downtown East Side district. In the Downtown East Side people are not adequately served, meaning they have no permanent housing, behaved illness problems, and no access to health services. This is living proof that the Downtown East Side is a very capable city; if we distinguish the issues and solve them. Another large issue was revolving bed closure in psychiatric facilities. Individuals with mental issues, and difficulties with substance abuse were let free. This made it extremely likely that they would come to contact with the criminal justice system. 49% of police calls to the Downtown East Side were due to a mentally ill person.
The rate of prostitution has been roughly the same in the past decade. Women in the Downtown East Side face the most violence. Downtown East Side Vancouver attracts those who are interested in looking for sex workers due to its “recognitions”. The living conditions in the Downtown East Side match up to those in a third world country: issues such as gang wars, drug bust and shootings. The disappearance of individuals from the Downtown East Side has been an issue that individuals adjust to. Once a person has been gone for a long period of time they are presumed dead.
Vancouver is the most desirable places to live in the world; it could achieve much greatness if it had the slightest bit of guidance from government officials (government attention). Although the Downtown East Side lacks a sever amount of development, it has the potential to become a very safe and welcoming environment.
What is the root of the problems plaguing the Downtown East Side?
"The root of the problems plaguing the Downtown East Side is the concentration of poverty, homelessness, drug addiction, poor housing, prostitution, petty crime, and mental illness in the area. This high concentration may be traced to developments in other parts of Vancouver like Expo that have reduced the availability of affordable housing until only the Downtown East Side remains. It will most likely continue because the Downtown East Side acts as a magnet for people from other parts of Canada and even the United States who are afflicted with personal, economic and social problems and are looking for a place where they will belong."- Mark Hume
. Drug problems in the Downtown East Side/Youtube.com
Hi Selam,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the video. The issues we are researching are very dark and tragic, so I appreciate the positivity you incorporated into your blog. I found it interesting that many of the residents of the downtown Eastside are mentally ill. My uncle Brian suffers from schizophrenia, and he disappeared long before I was born. A few years ago another uncle of mine saw him in Vancouver-he appeared to be living on the streets. This makes me wonder where he is now, if he has joined the downtown eastside community. I think Canada, or BC anyway, is lacking in adequate mental healthcare as you demonstrated. Just behind my house there used to be a mental hospital, however a few years ago it was torn down and apartments and condos were built in its place. Clearly the government's priorities do not include mental healthcare. What do you think?
Mina- I am very sad to hear that, I hope the best for your uncle. I strongly agree with you, the demolishment of mental hospitals has been increasing and I believe the government is not focusing strongly on this issue. Without government assistance there will cease to be any adjustments made.
ReplyDeleteHi Selam, I found your post very interesting to hear about the East side downtown Vancouver because i don't hear too much on it. Even though Canada has free health care hospitals aren't in very good shape. I know a lot about this topic because my mom is a nurse in RCH in New Westminster. A couple years ago the ward my mom works on, they couldn't do their job properly because they didn't have the machinery. So they held a fundraiser and after didn't raise enough to have required. As well with the issue about not being enough beds and patients had to stay in Tim Hortans and the hall ways, which is dangerous in an emergency. It isn't just the East side downtown that has poor funds for medical. Sadly it's all Vancouver. I didn't realize that after a person had been missing for awhile they just assumed dead. I thought that only happened in movies. I think people don't really care unless it effects them. If it were Polices offers family member they would keep looking until found. A normal citizen on the east side for the most part doesn't matter to them.
ReplyDeleteEmily- Thanks, yah there was a lot of information that was newly introduced to me as well during this blog project. It’s a sad reality that people need to become more aware of.
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