‘Shocking’ behaviour connected to drug use causes concern in Calgary neighbourhood

Complainants say drug users pool around one pharmacy on 10 Avenue S.W. that prescribes methadone. The pharmacist says he's providing a required service to clien

Businesses along a stretch of 10 Avenue S.W. in Calgary’s Sunalta neighbourhood say social disorder in the area is driving away customers, and several say the problems appear to centre around one location on the street.

A trip down the street on any given day can reveal emergency crews working to revive an overdose victim on the street while others stumble around bent over in what witnesses describe as a drug-induced haze.

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Area resident Robert Yuke said he believes the situation has deteriorated over the nine years he has been coming to the neighbourhood.

“Businesses are closing, things are falling apart. They’re forgetting about the homeless. They’re literally just forgetting about them, and they’re pooling and that, to me, is a problem,” said Yuke.

“I’ve watched a few fights, and they pull out rusty syringes and threaten you like they will rob you with rusty syringes. And it’s not because they’re broken, and it’s not because they’re addicts; it’s because that’s where society has pushed them.”

Several people interviewed for this story said many of those gathering on the street appear to congregate around ERx Pharmacy at 1715 10 Ave. S.W.

Clients told CTV they come to the pharmacy each day for methadone, a medication used to help people stop using opioids.

One of those clients, who asked only to be identified as Vern, said the pharmacy offers an environment where people trying to get off drugs feel they can gather without being pushed away.

“They have a coffee shop in the back, and they don’t mind just hanging out here when you’re homeless and when you’re trying to get off this stuff. Everybody (else is) like, ‘Move along. Move along.’“ said Vern.

“It’s somewhere we can hang out and socialize without being harassed.”

Nearby businesses say the situation outside the pharmacy is affecting their customers.

Mark Wang, owner of YYC Botox and Fillers, said some patients have chosen to leave rather than run a gauntlet to enter his business.

“My patients, they are sometimes scared,” Wang said.

“In fact, I’ve had patients cancel their appointment when they arrive because they’re afraid to come in because of the disorder that’s happening outside.”

Wang said he has also had violent confrontations while asking people to leave his property.

“I have been assaulted by the people outside on two occasions now, trying to enforce order and trying to keep the place somewhat reasonable and clean,” he said.

Other nearby businesses say the disorder has become a regular part of working in the area.

“Lots of people passed out to the point where they honestly look dead,” said Katrina McCallum, a partner at McCallum Brown LLP.

“And when they finally do get up, it’s kind of shocking that they do get up.”

McCallum said she has also witnessed fighting and people blocking access to the building where her firm operates.

Calgary police say they have increased patrols in the area.

Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt said his office has recently received detailed complaints from residents, businesses and the community association and is now examining possible responses.

“We’ve been connected to this issue since we started in October,” Schmidt said.

“A big priority on our campaign was public safety with a purpose.”

Schmidt said the city is now speaking with police, bylaw and other officials to determine what steps might reduce the problem.

“Part of the work that we’re doing is looking into the activities around that area and whether or not they’ve come into any conflict with business licensing,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said enforcement alone will not solve the problem, and the city must also address mental health, addiction and homelessness.

“Not only is it improving enforcement in the short term, improving access for that community in the short term to resources, but then we need to put in place long-term strategies that address mental health, addictions, homelessness,” he said.

CTV News spoke with ERx owner David Ruan, who declined a formal interview.

Ruan said he believes the pharmacy is providing a required service to clients seeking addiction treatment.

He said he has taken steps to reduce problems outside the business, including hiring security, and believes the root cause of the disorder is a lack of facilities for Calgary’s homeless population.