Mayor Gregor Robertson

When the topic of the Four Pillars comes up, it is often in the context of the Downtown Eastside. Many people associate our city’s drug policy with a neighbourhood that has become a symbol of poverty and addiction.

They’re wrong.

The Downtown Eastside is so much more than the images that we often see in the media. It is a vibrant, caring community, one that is home to people from all walks of life.

It’s a community on the rise. Whether it’s the opening of Woodward’s this year, or the Great Beginnings and Downtown Eastside Revitalization Projects, we’re seeing a lot of positive changes happening. And the Four Pillars are a big part of that.

The Four Pillars Drug Strategy applies to all of Vancouver. The objectives we strive for – prevention, harm reduction, enforcement, and treatment - are as relevant in Strathcona as they are in Dunbar.

I’m a strong supporter of the Four Pillars approach. Our city’s drug policy has been supported by four mayors from three different political parties. If there is one policy that transcends partisan politics in Vancouver, it is the Four Pillars.

As Mayor, I will make sure that the City is fully committed to all four pillars. City Hall will continue to be a strong advocate for the on-going operation of InSite – another example of a policy that has a history of bi-partisan support.

We are living in difficult times. Many of us are worried about the economy. But throughout all of this, I’m proud to be Mayor at a time when our city is coming to life. The Olympics will arrive in just over a year. Woodward’s is opening in the fall. We have 12 new social housing sites spread across Vancouver that are in the works. As a city, we’re at a turning point.

On March 25 I’ll be opening an event, initiated by the Drug Policy Program and organized by a broad coalition of groups, to kick-start the establishment of a culture of prevention in Vancouver. In the coming months, I will be convening a meeting of the Four Pillars coalition, so that we can build on the work of previous councils, and expand our efforts across the city. We need to keep InSite open. Our children need to be informed about the dangers of addiction. People who prey on addicts need to be brought to justice, and we desperately need more treatment facilities in Vancouver.

We’re facing some serious challenges, but I’m continually inspired by the passion and commitment that so many of you have to making Vancouver a better place.

I look forward to working with you.