Police criticized for response after five men found overdosing on Vancouver bench

Police arrived at the scene at around 10:30 am, where the men were found either not breathing or struggling to breathe.

ADVERTISEMENT
Image
Roberto Wakerell-Cruz Montreal QC
ADVERTISEMENT

Five men were taken to hospital after overdosing on a public bench, Vancouver police say.

The men were found unconscious on a bench on the 1800 block of Beach Avenue, police said in a press release.

Police arrived at the scene at around 10:30 am, where the men were found either not breathing or struggling to breathe.

Naloxone, a potentially life-saving substance that is sprayed up the nose, was administered to the men while an ambulance arrived to the scene.

The men are suspected to all be in their 20s.

Passerbys likely thought that the men were drinking on the bench and passed out, which is why no one called police for three hours while they sat, Vancouver police said.

Four of the men are in serious condition, reports the Vancouver Sun.

One witness told the Sun that he had seen police walk by the men hours earlier, saying that officers did not check the men's vital signs or even call in dispatch for assistance.

"The VPD officer checked on the men and found that they were overdosing, with shallow or no breathing, so he began first aid," a statement from Sgt. Steve Addison said.

"Other police officers soon arrived and administered naloxone, which began to bring some of the men back to consciousness."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Join and support independent free thinkers!

We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.

Support The Post Millennial

Remind me next month

To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 The Post Millennial, Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Personal Information