For nearly two years both injection and inhalation drug users have been monitored by CMHA mid Island branch personnel at 250 Albert St. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

review pledged

Nanaimo OPS operator promises ‘thorough internal review’ following drugs & weapons bust

Oct 1, 2024 | 5:25 AM

NANAIMO — Under immense pressure following an alleged substantial on-site drugs and weapons seizure, the operator of Nanaimo’s overdose prevention site (OPS) pledged an internal review will be done.

Jason Harrison, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association mid-Island branch, stated the agency is actively cooperating with the RCMP’s ongoing investigation.

“We are taking this situation very seriously and will conduct a thorough internal review of our policies and procedures to ensure that our operations are robust and meet the highest standards of safety and accountability. Should any gaps or areas for improvement be identified, we are fully committed to adopting the necessary changes to strengthen our processes,” Harrison wrote in an emailed statement to NanaimoNewsNOW.

He added their priority remains the health, safety and well-being of the community and that their critical services in response to the toxic drug crisis will continue.

CMHA mid-Island branch manager Jason Harrison stated since January 2017 the local CMHA branch has intervened in well over 1,000 drug poisoning incidents. He said the exisiting Nanaimo OPS site assists more than 100 people daily. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

review pledged

Nanaimo OPS operator promises 'thorough internal review' following drugs & weapons bust

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Gerid James Gregory-Allen, 30 and Sara Lynn Koshman, 35 face a combined 33 drug trafficking and weapons charges after the pair were arrested on Thursday, Sept. 12 inside the OPS located on the corner of Albert and Dunsmuir streets.

Police alleged a range of drugs and a loaded gun were seized from the accused at the OPS.

• A loaded pistol
• 245 g of suspected methamphetamine
• 230 g of suspected cocaine
• 45 g of suspected fentanyl
• 430 prescription opioid tablets
• $950.00 in canadian currency

Most of the charges were levied against Gregory-Allen, who remains in custody, as does Koshman.

A subsequent search warrant at a Nanaimo motel room uncovered what police reported were higher volumes of illicit drugs, including 190 grams of suspected fentanyl, several firearms, other weapons and $15,000.

None of the allegations against Gregory-Allen and Koshman have been tested in court.

Harrison stated at no time had either of the accused been employed by the CMHA mid-Island branch and had no roles with the OPS when arrested.

He has not responded to repeated follow-up requests to clarify a social media picture Koshman posted in mid-July.

In the post, Koshman declared she had a new job at the Nanaimo OPS while wearing what appeared to be a CMHA neck lanyard.

Mayor reacts
Stating he’s limited by what he can say amid an ongoing police investigation and judicial process, Mayor Leonard Krog said he’s “deeply disturbed” by what’s transpired lately.

“If these places are to be successful, people have to have confidence in how they are managed and this certainly I think has raised some serious questions that are disturbing, and I hope there will be answers forthcoming,” Krog said.

The mayor emphasized that the Nanaimo OPS is not zoned or regulated in any way by the City, which exists due to a ministerial order struck in 2016 in response to the toxic drug crisis.

Noting the OPS is a service contracted out by Island Health and overseen by the B.C. government, Krog said the City of Nanaimo and the public at large demands that the service is conducted properly.

“The City expects these places to be run in a safe, secure manner that does not endanger in any way the public whether they are using drugs or not using drugs,” he said.

Krog said he’s pleased to hear an internal review of the local OPS is pledged.

The seven day a week Nanaimo OPS is one of eight supervised drug consumption services on Vancouver Island.

In addition to rapid overdose responses, the Nanaimo OPS includes referrals to other services, including substance use and mental health supports.

Drug testing is also done at the Nanaimo OPS.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes