While Vancouver is known for it’s amazing natural beauty and it’s friendly people, there is also a very dark side of Vancouver that many people don’t see. From crack heads to Heroin junkies, drunks to HIV and Hepatitis infected prostitutes, Vancouver has it’s share of nastiness.
So, if you are curious as to what these sort of people look like and how they live, there is only one place to see it all.
Main Street and Hastings Street in Vancouver is the epicenter of the drug and disease problem in Vancouver. No where else will you see such a concentration of junkies and crackheads. Day and night you will find hundreds of people scurrying around like rats, looking for a fix or for something to steal to buy some crack or Heroin.
For the safest viewing, stay in your car and drive slowly on Hastings Street, past Main street and then to Cambie Street. In those few blocks you will see things that will amaze you. Sketchy junkies searching the ground as if some magical crack fairy dropped some crack rocks for them, to people shooting up in dark doorways and you’ll even see drug deals going down.
For the really brave, walk along the street from Main to Cambie. It’s 4 blocks of Hell. You’ll be propositioned by whores and crack dealers every few steps and after you end your trip at Cambie Street, you’ll have a fresh appreciation for what you have in life!
One experience you will never forget if you are courageous enough…Dress in old ripped up clothes, put on a hat pulled down low and go hang out in front of the Carnegie Library at the corner of Main and Hastings. You’ll be amazed at the activity there at any time of the day. Drug deals, stolen goods, you name it…All happening right outside the Vancouver Police Station!!
Safety Tips
- If you are driving to check out the crackheads and junkies, make sure to lock your doors and do not park. If you do, many will come to your window to ask you if you need anything. A great time to take close-up photos of the junkies, but don’t stay too long. They won’t appreciate photos being taken!
- If you are walking, don’t walk alone. The more people the better and make sure you have a cellphone ready to dial 911. Also, try to keep an eye behind you
- If you are walking, hide all jewelry. Rings, chains, watches or anything else shiny or valuable looking should be hidden.
Directions to Main and Hastings Streets in Vancouver
D.lloyd says:
I visited with my son who lives in the neighbourhood and works at the Carnegie….I never at any time felt unsafe, and only once was somewhat pestered for money, during my two week visit.
You make the people sound like animals, and should be totally ashamed of yourself. Park your car and observe….how absolutely ridiculous.
Katharine Green says:
Downtown Eastside may seem radically bad to Canadians, but most U.S. cities have neighboroods comparable or worse. In San Francisco we have at least 3 neighborhoods that are worse. I have taken a couple strolls along Main from Hastings to Cambie, and while there is no question it’s a hangout for the down and out, I was never threatened, never felt unsafe, had numerous people nod ‘hello’ politely, and the most I was ever asked for was a cigarette – and got a bored shrug when I said I didn’ t have one. The tone of this entry is dehumanizing and hyperbolic, very unfortunate. I love Vancouver, I wish the Vancouver Guide loved it a little more – or at least had a little more respect for its own citizens.
Karen B. says:
Your opinion of the downtown eastside of Vancouver makes me sick. It’s not a zoo for tourists to visit and check out the “wild animals.” It’s actually a real community of dynamic and caring people, many of whom need compassion and support. Further, the neighbourhood is actually a lot safer than most people think it is. I am a 28 year old female and have never felt threatened while walking alone there at night. Spend some time down there with your eyes open- and your heart too for that matter.
Durbin says:
The writer is correct, but I walked through this area alone. There were people using drugs and shooting up right in the open. One junkie was using a car’s side mirror to hit up in his neck. I used to like heroin and easily found some after giving one of the people at Carnegie $5. Good white dope. I did get ripped off once too, but I’d go there again in a pinch.
Chilled says:
The writer is correct and the apologists are what made this hell hole what it is.
Lachlan Murray says:
I feel sorry for these soulless people — the ones who wrote and posted the article.
jd says:
how much is a gram
Niel Smith says:
These people choose to live like animals. They habitate the best real estate in the city, while working people commute for hours to get down town.
The reality is that only a few people are bleeding hearts for these losers, the rest of us are sick of these diseased drug addicts. We(the contributors to human society aka tax payers) need to take back our city from these parasites.
We need to rid our city of these low life criminals! Perhaps all the bleeding hearts will open up their homes and let these idiots stay with them!
We, the people, are falling victim to these assholes! These self ritcheous drug addicts cost the city and insurance and the province millions and millions of dollars. go ask one, “what have you done for your community?” they will say “nothing” They have only scarred the down town east side and drain public money!
THere are plenty of islands off west coast….send them there so we dont have to look at them!
Michael Bzowy says:
This site makes me ill however not as ill as the people out there on the streets fighting t he disease of addiction!!! When people reach the point of desolation that alot of the addicts on main and hastings are at the only thing that is human is a reaction of compassion and gratitude that you are not down there yourself, Addiction is a disease and most down there are at the end stage of their cycle. Some of the people with the biggest hearts and most emotionally sensitive humans fall into this trap because they can’t handle the pain they feel just to exist on the planet. So if you judge them you are being totally ignorant, Don’t fool yourself addiction does not discriminate. You, someone you know or family are all potential addicts. Spread the love in Vancouver not the hate and judgement.
Andrew says:
I am a summer camp daycamp leader, and we (myself and 9 – 12 year old kids) wait for the bus at hastings and main all the time … if you actually took the time to stop and talk to some of these people i guarente that you will learn some interesting things.
This guy makes it seem a lot worst that what it actually is.
Niel Smith says:
You could learn to freebase heroin, rob a bank, or break into a home from these people!
Cant they move to a rural area and turn that whole area into an attraction rather than a disgrace?
Laura Ryan says:
wow..what an ignorant, uncompassionate article. The real tragedy here is how these people are portrying something they know nothing about with such judgement and hatred. yuck! To me that is so much more sad then what goes on at Main and Hastings. Coming from a recovering addict who spent half a year surviving on those lonely streets trying to hide from the grip of addiction…I can tell you firsthand that not one single one of those people down there are loosers, assholes, or self richeous. They are human beings who most likely faced tragedy at some point in their life and didnt have the coping skills needed to avoid a horrible, lonesome grip of addiction. I am an educated women who was raised in a good famil. I am a contributing member of society who does much for my community and am a successful business owner raising a child. Five years ago I was lost and ended up roaming those very streets. Thankfully I found my way home with the help and support of non-judgemental kind, openhearted people. This world would function so much better without ugly, hate filled humans who strangely seem to think they are better than other people and have obviously never walked a step in someone elses shoes. So like I say the real tradgedy is not he people IN the article…..its the people who WROTE and AGREE with the article. Now thats tragic.
Smith says:
Laura, you say, “I can tell you first hand that not one single one of those people down there are loosers, assholes, or self richeous.”
Look, when my car gets $1200 damage to it because some nasty addict broke into for $.50 that makes them all the above.
When the bank on your corner has some junkie come in and threaten a clerk with a needle then rob the place, that makes them all the above.
Given the fact you were a junkie yourself and the fact you don’t see what a pain in the ass you, and these people are makes you ignorant and self ritcheous.
As an addict yourself, have you ever gone back and apologized for the problems you caused? offered to pay back ambulance bills and police costs for your behaviour when you went off he rails?…………..NO OF COURSE NOT! Becuase you feel its all oooookkkkkkkkkaayyyyyy and you are self ritcheous! DIG IT!!
People dont care what the junkies think! We want a safe place to live!
Smith says:
GRACIAS
laura says:
As a matter of fact I HAVE made my wrongs right. Its called Step nine of the twelve 12 steps of recovery. And so have millions of other recovering addicts. Making amends for the wrongs we caused and correcting the pain we caused where we can. Please dont speak of things you so obviously know nothing about. Everyone has and is intitled to their own oppinion..its just unfortunate your opinion is so disturbingly angry and uneducated. Too bad for you. It must be so hard being so perfect and flawless. Perhaps a better education, better job, and a better outlook on humanity may get u able to afford a ‘safer’ place to live and help you afford to pay for damage to your vehicle without being sooooo angry about it.lol
Smith says:
Laura is a typical self ritcheous crackwrack whore. She CLAIMS I need to get a better job so I can afford a safer place to live so my car doesnt get broken into!
DON’T YOU GET IT! I don’t want to be displaced by criminal junkies and feel unsafe.
Laura, go flush yourself down the toilet. You obviosly have burnt out part of your brain.
By the way, your step 9…what did you really do to “right your wrongs”? Be honest did it really mean a thing? Or was a phone call saying, “sorry?”
You are a pathetic human
Rob Power says:
Really bad article… It’s not a freakin zoo.
Rob Power says:
LAURA rules! …. SMITH well you’re a freakin moron.
Smith says:
Rob Powers…you ;likely have sex with children/
David says:
I am happy to see that there are compassionate people out there. As for Mr. Smith, while I fully respect your right to free speech, I think it is not all that nice to say “go flush yourself down the toilet” to a person you do not know, and who has written something something personal, humane, and reasonable.
I myself think it’s the Canadian way to be easy-going, non-judgmental, compassionate, and polite to others. (I am happy to announce that I am going to be polite to everyone in this forum – to YOU too, Mr. Smith:)
Smith says:
David! you are a wonderful nice super duper person!
Smith 2 says:
Smith: YOU are the ASSHOLE….eventually this historic and colorful area will be replaced by a corporate matrix of million dollar condos and McDonlad’s outlets built for ASSHOLES like you…I am not a drug addict….I have safely walked through this area thousands of times without being threatened…most of the people that live in that neighborhood are good people who have fallen on hard times….but I have often found that those who have nothing are often the most caring and generous. In the meantime why don’t you stick to Robson Street you ASSHOLE.
Smith says:
OMG I can’t wait till all the drug addicts move away so I can live there and not have to commute.
Also, I think some high end condos and boutiques, playhouses, and bistros would give the area a much needed boost and lower the crime rate.
Thanks for seeing clearly “smith 2″.
Just curious, you say they are caring and generous, can you give me an example of each that you have experienced?….did you get a good deal on a stolen ipod?
Tarzan says:
I agree with smith. I think they should be moved out and the area turned into something geared for the people paying taxes……let the addicts move to south surrey or something.
boumad says:
This is why we have a conservative government. Slogans appeal to those without the ability to think for themselves. “Tough on crime” is viagra to these pricks in a way that “harm reduction saves tax payer money” never will be. I hope these self-righteous douchebags who talk about humans in terms they would never discuss their inbred, incontinent bichon-frise’s have children that end up on the streets they condemn. Abuse/ Rape/ Mental illness do not discriminate. Appreciate your ivory towers while you can. I guess ignorance is bliss.
Estrie says:
My son used to live in Vancouver.He drove me to the Main and Hastings area at my request.For me, it was a Dantian vision of hell.I saw every form of struggling and debased humanity.My son felt particularly sorry for the elderly poor who have nowhere else to live and must deal on a daily basis with the derelicts of society.
What I saw on those mean streets absolutely equalled anything I glimpsed as a tourist in a third world country.
For those who wish to deny the reality, open your eyes and go smell the coffee.
The real tragedy is that this is allowed to exist in the midst of a vibrant and prosperous city.
Tarzan says:
If these people are sooooooo GREAT; Why don’t you invite one to live with you?
Tarzan says:
Holy shit I have seen it all. Now the speed limit through this shit hole is 30km/h and the police wrote over 2000 tickets in a traffic blitz!
I am now forced to go dead slow and look at these zomibies.
RECOVERED ADDICT says:
HERE IS A SMALL LOOK AT WHAT LIFE IS LIKE
VANCOUVER / ADDICTION / HOMELESS / CHAOS / POVERTY
THE HARSH REALITY OF ADDICTION
The producers of this short film are both recovering addicts who have both spent time living and indulging with drug addiction in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Today they are both clean and sober with multiple years of recovery
Addiction: Chaos in Vancouver
http://arch1design.com/blog/vancouver-addiction-homelessness-poverty
brooke says:
Well I’ve been a junkie and a crack head for 15 years now but i’ve never spent anytime on main and hastings because I couldnt and cant handle being around selfish and conning people. It really is true when they say how do u know if a drug addict is lieing as soon as they open their mouth. Because they will say and do anything to get high and yes its a disease but it’s a disease thats brought along yourself. It’s not like I can say well I didnt know Id become addicted well thats not true. Even I know that and won’t even pretend to deney it.
Tarzan says:
We should enclose the whole area and have a sport hunting type facility.
Tarzan says:
And as a bonus include all the bleeding heart inside the perimeter and they can protect them!
jeremy says:
i hope ho ever reads this article and decides to go down to main and hasting to take pictures of junkies gets there camera stolen from them and stuck with a dirty aids infested needle. junkies and crackheads are sick people not a spectacle for you to gock at what kinda sick person trys to advertise vancouver in this way
Bears: Lazy Hitchhikers Who Love Garbage - Snark, Critic and Pop! says:
[...] hitched a ride on a garbage truck putting the bear in danger as the truck then drove through Hastings. The bear was shot with a tranquilizer gun and is planned to be put back in the wild (it is [...]
J. Margo says:
What an incredibly offensive piece. Shame on you and this site for writing and publishing such a truly inhumane piece. There but for the grace of god goes you– you lowlife writer.
Jen Mo says:
What a shameful, uneducated piece of writing. It sounds as though you are giving directions to the zoo to watch animals from behind the ignorant wall of glass. These are PEOPLE.
Jen Mo says:
What a shameful, uneducated piece of writing. It sounds as though you are giving directions to the zoo to watch animals from behind the ignorant wall of glass. These are PEOPLE. Laura, you rule.
felecia says:
I lived in B.C. for a while and the author is right, the first time i drove down hasting i was terrified. there were literally people everywhere, it was an endless sea of people. we saw people doing drugs. beating each other and there were prostitutes giving “favors” in alleys that i really wish could unseen. my boyfriend had a cigarette stolen out of his hand in our car window. it was the middle of the day, the sun was up. we ended our journey around the corner at a shop and were stopped by numerous people asking for money or cigarettes. one guy told us his whole life story..which was difficult to understand as i’m positive he was really really high or crazy i’m not sure which…he gave me his necklace though which was neat, i still have it. and yes do feel bad for these people i wish they didn’t live this way but a lot of them choose the life they have.
i have had friends over the years who have chosen the same life style, if i could help them i would but at the same time i’m still terribly afraid of what they are capable of when they are in need of a fix