Kennedy Stewart's first action as Mayor was to launch an Emergency Overdose Task force. This task force identified 31 recommendations to address the overdose crisis.

Since then, Mayor Kennedy Stewart has fought to expand overdose prevention sites despite NPA opposition, lobbyed for the expansion of safe supply, and worked to make Vancouver the first jurisdiction in Canada to adopt drug decriminalization.

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In April 2021, the Drug Overdose Response Team, a joint initiative of Vancouver Coastal Health and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services to connect overdose patients with health care recieved permanent funding of $180,000, after a successful pilot initiated under the Mayor Emergency Overdose Task force.

In addition, as part of the Mayor's COVID-19 pandemic response, we worked with demonstrated a crucial need for front line workers in the DTES to receive more training and PPE. The COV also created a PPE distribution centre in the DTES were front line workers and resident could access donated supplies such as mask, gloves and sanitizer etc.

Vancouver is the only major city in Canada where access to safer supply is rolling out. The latest win is a facility called SAFER, run by Vancouver Coastal Health which opened in April 2022 with the full support of Mayor Kennedy Stewart.

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