Community Crisis In Saint John - Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Homelessness 

"If you want to save the world - save yourself first". The best version of you (the compassionate, loving, patient, joy-rich version) - is a light for others.

You know, the faces change but the issues remain. I have been clean since 2012. I spent many years on the streets of Saint John using and selling myself for money. Back then, it wasn't as bad as it is now. It was crack and Dilaudid that were the problems. I understand both sides of the issue. It took many tries but eventually sobriety stuck. I wasted years in and out of the county jail. Would get clean and then go back out and use again. It's a viscous cycle. From my experience, I was just tired. I ended up on the county jail for the last time and after sleeping for 2 days, I felt exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally. I sat in my cell and wrote out a treatment plan for myself. I had to go back to court for sentencing and I think they could see a change in me. They actually gave me a chance to help myself. I'll forever be grateful.

8 years ago, i was homeless in SJ. Im off drug's, im about to get married and have my family back in my life. Every day, i count my blessings that i was able to climb out of my addiction and mental health issues. I've never seen any of your work before, but I'll check out what you provide.

As a Fredericton city bus driver, my heart breaks for all the broken souls I see daily.. Housing and Mental health services are needed.. Bless those on the front lines.. Thank You

Jordan, what I love most about your videos is your curious mind and how comfortable you make people feel as they share their stories. These are complex issues; however, there are solutions. They are well known and have been spoken many times. Do we have the will as a society, maybe even the grit, to provide the essential support so desperately needed? Keep up the fantastic storytelling. Any measure of community success that ignores the reality that our fellow citizens face so many barriers and suffer without their most basic needs being met is a failure to accept those facts in front of our eyes.

You should reach out to Dr. Eric Weissman from UNBSJ to do an interview. Guy is a Saint, was homless for many years, and I'd love to see his perspectives shared more with the city

God watch over my grandchildren keep them all clean from this🙏

That was an incredible video. Thanks for bringing genuine voices and faces to this crisis.

I'm someone who is living in Saint John, in a small condo unit I own, driving a vehicle I bought new a few years ago, and even used to travel a little. A couple of years ago I had a mental breakdown, panic attack or whatever it was... it knocked me on my ass. I barely leave said home now and my social circle is dwindling down to just my appointments. When I do go out, if it's not to dart in and out to run an errand... it's typically to disappear out in the woods on my own. To this day, I've yet to be diagnosed with anything while having ideas of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, etc being thrown around. My psychiatrist came out and said it's simply my personality now and I need to just get back out there again. Sure, OK. Luckily I'm not on the streets (yet) as my life choices before hand has acted as a life preserver for now but I have a lot running through my head concerning my future. I say this to open some peoples eyes that not everyone spiraling towards living on the streets are drug addicts, welfare surfers or ex cons. There's too many people that are one slip up away from starting the process of joining them and falling down the ladder is a hell of a lot quicker than the process of climbing it. Would I lose my mind or start numbing my senses with drugs if I ended up losing everything? I don't know. I don't do drugs. Hell, I don't even drink but those ideas don't seem so far fetched when the shoe is on the other foot. There's soo many factors to this issue and it's been around forever. However it's no coincidence that it spreads like wildfire when ever the government keeps turning the dial up to see how far they can push their citizens. Even more suspicious when they aim to keep every drug on the streets. Almost like drugged out zombies are easier to brush under the rug than people with nothing to lose on a united front. Food for thought.

Powerful video. You are wonderfully talented - Saint John is lucky to have you. You are a light in this world!

Thank you for making this video. The folks you interviewed definitely brings to light what the story looks like. Especially for the folks that don't visit this area of Saint John. I was born in this city and now in my mid 40's, it's unbelievable to see the amount of tents in the open in the middle of the day and people in the open, it seems to be multiplying. It always existed but more hidden years ago. Nowadays you see it everywhere. Especially Waterloo Village, and down the hill towards the Haymarket Square Area. The aspect that is good to mention, is that some folks want their freedom and not be controlled by rules that goes along with a steady place to stay. I know that sounds odd, but I think that's a solid reason why so many folks despite their circumstance live in the tents. Thanks again for the video. Nice job. I'm sure it wasn't easy to edit. Cheers friend.

Good on you to be realizing and covering this. Thank you for stepping up.

Thank you for this captivating video Jordan and for shedding light on what so many of our friends, neighbours and family members are struggling with.

Thank you for ‘seeing’ these people and giving them a voice. Everyone has a story. ✌🏼❤️

We would love to team together with you when you’re aiding these people . We advocate for Mental Health. Keep up the good work.

It’s so well done. I have such a better understanding of what’s happening over there, a place I easily never see in my own day to day life. Thanks for bringing this info into the light for all to see. I especially loved your closing notes ♥️

Thanks for bringing these peoples' truths + perspectives into reality for us, Jordan. I'm going to share this with my network and I hope this brings a lot of awareness and action to these issues!

Thanks for this video. As a person who lives here...this is a major issue. It's so bad now. People are trying to help but it's not enough. The last 3 years has been shit. We need to bring more awareness

No way! Jordan! Great job here. I am deeply proud of you. This is an incredibly important problem in Saint John right now. Thank you for shedding light on this for others who are unaware. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

Excellent video. Thanks for creating it. Important issue.

There is no easy answer, this reminds me of Grant Avenue in Hamilton late 70's to early 80's, Drug abuse is common in the Construction trades, at least in Ontario, lost many friends and acquaintences to Fentynal, opiods but alcohol is the worst. Either from chronic use or acute events. Saving yourself is the first and biggest step, thanks for such a thought provoking video, sobering to say the least. Peace.

Glace Bay, NS had a bad run with drugs. The drug suppliers need to be stopped. I walked on Waterloo street yesterday going to service Canada. I was approached by a prostitute, it was sad. And the kids matter in that area.

Excellent documentary explaining this rapidly increasing crisis.

Substance abuse is a cancer to our society. More resources are needed to support the victims to detox and rehab/counciling then housing and jobs.

I could be one of these ppl. I took the chance at recovering.. took the help offered. Went to jail. Went to rehab. Lost my kids. Got them back. Graduated the methadone program. Used my skills. Even with mental illness im still able to be on top! Got my shit together, a job. Kept my apt for 5 years. It’s possible.. it really is.

The reason its so hard to help and provide help is a couple reason's. This homelessness and drug addiction hasnt just popped up, its been around in saint john my entire life and im 43. Moncton has has a major homelessness issue for the last 8 years because every city in New Brunswick sent their homeless to moncton. The biggest issue with the homeless and drug users is they likely all had many many opportunities offered to them. They need to learn to help themselves. I did. I struggled with addiction for 2o years. But just saying you would do this or that if someone would help me. but do realize they can do just the same as anyone helping them. Its actions needed not words..

Amazing work that you do derrrick!

That man is right but it’s not only provincial government it’s federal too if the government can house refugees they should be able to free up millions to help the homeless and what not

That poor unborn baby 😭

So sad! This is a worldwide problem indeed and yes we all need to help out our homeless brothers and sisters no matter where they are! ❤

I’m originally from Saint John. I left in 1983 before it turned 18 went to Toronto frying pan into the fire spent 20 years there and now I live east of Toronto for 21 years, I’m grateful to say I’m a recovering addict. I had a relapsed two years ago that almost killed me. My mental health had already gone downhill really bad so my mental illnesses really crept up on me and I rely on narcotics anonymous and professional help to help me stay clean a day at a time. Streets have no heart the only thing that changes of the faces the game is still the same. It’s a dark cold and it’s eat or be eaten. They’ll eat you up and spit you out. I’m never going back one day at a time and thanks to my beautiful adopted rescue dog.. believe me if I can get clean again and be doing so well anyone can. ❤️🙏

Bro I’m 21 I’ve been in SJ my entire life, things really changed after Covid.

Yes ived lived here my hole life an have 4 kids now an it's so different then it was when I was younger 😢

Love your videos.

So glad this got recommend to me

we need to publicly have voices and not be silenced, oppressed, trapped in community with our abusers and ones who are supporting/enabling or abusing themselves ....I am not an addict but have been seriously affected, let down by the 'system' and when trying to get 'help', tell the truth about the abuse....soon to be homeless in Windsor, Nova Scotia, being silenced and oppressed in the community I was adopted into......msgs, emails can't be reached from my area ....are blocked......no in person supports anymore just the corrupt internet that can easily delete and silence ........so much abuse and so much silencing happening

Sadly new brunswick is very very quickly becoming ontario.drug users will soon far out number the clean. All of the reasons we moved here are no longer the case after only 3 years.

Great video !👏👏👏👏👏👏

Very well said my friend!

Cant imagine being homeless is Saint John. Place is shitty enough as it is.

I remember walking around the street in view with my hockey team as a kid @ 2:58 It's crazy, NS and even Fredericton has gotten terrible for open drug use in the past year. There's a Rejuvenation Program called the, Village of Hope. I spent a little time there and it is honestly exactly what these people are asking for.

i grew up in the village and it always had an open drug and prostitution market, I even read about a women whos escaped a religious laundry orphanage on Waterloo in the 50,s who entered into the neighborhood prostitution ring There just wasn't the amount of people as there is now so most people could ignore it because there weren't tent city's. Losing loan water farm was a big effect, it was a beautiful sober living farm outside the city.

a drug addict knows all the answers. too many bleeding heart enablers

Very cool man more ppl need to see how bad its gotten in our small towns and citys in nb st stephen, st george , saint john, fredericton and moncton have done a night a day flip in the last 5 years it needs to stop this is the community we are leaving to our kids and kids kids EVERYONE needs to do better has humans ... will it happen idk 🤷‍♂️ will fix it idk 🤷‍♂️ but will it hurt the prob .. deff not

Hi Derrick. I just found this channel. DEFINITELY will be diving into your work. There are too many shitheads in this world. The divide is REAL AF

I am from exmouth street , my parents are still there . This breaks my heart . Open drug use should not be legal .

I am a senior now.. Was homeless for almost 3 years over 50 years ago. Lucky for me the Military accepted me when I was 18 *Saved my life. I was born in St. John .. spent a LOT of time in the Waterloo area .. King Square .. This makes me want to move back home to help. How can I Help?? :( so so sad for so many souls

So sad how many tents you see outside driving in saint john

The mental health aspect can be mostly solved by lessening the amount of poverty our people suffer from. Nearly 30% of NBs children live in poverty and the number who will end up suffering from trauma, neglect, and mental illness will be the majority. Yes we need to immediate help now, but that's also throwing water out of the boat instead of plugging the hole. We need to focus on immediate needs AND the cause of the suffering.

Here’s what I’m thinking. In Ontario, there’s an 18 year waiting list for group homes. Many desperate families have gotten together and purchased a home for their children. Now the govt. runs the home and the families can rest assured that their loved one will always have a home. As well, my daughter worked at a privately run home for people unable to live on their own. The owner of the home gets paid through the residence’s social assistsnce, they run all kinds of programs and help people manage their affairs. Perhaps if the good people of Newfoundland purchased a property, I wonder if the govt. would step in and provide staff? Or perhaps talk to community college social service workers and see if they could volunteer their time? I’m hopeful this idea will perhaps open doors to alternatives. Thank you so much for shining a light on this desperate situation. God bless

I was told the city is building a 160 unit with 1 and 2 bedroom appartment for these people who are struggling with mental issues that lead to drug addiction and that dark road is not the same as it used to be 10,15,20 years ago (Is this a good or bad idea?). I quit school in grade six and lived in the south end from when I was born until I was 28. I moved to pei when I was 28 and tried to start out new but it was not easy and I moved back to saint john and continued to live a wild life and then tried pei again and eventually I started to see a new way to live life. I was heading for the bottom or I was at my bottom but but seeing a new perspective on life gave me the vision of the life I want to live. I know alot of those people in this video and my family who live uptown see them very often and I'm uptown whenever I get free time. If there is anyway I can help let me know I know people who just want to be heard and tell they're story.

I know that girl that had her wallet stolen… her father has just passed away like days ago. I have known her since she was a girl. I used to live there but we got outta there and very thankful. I saw your vids over Freddy and Saint John .. I’ve lived both places now I’m up by Hartland ( strangely how I saw your vids) I also am originally from Ontario.

Everyone acting like this is a new thing when most of us been dealing with it over ten years. Pretty sad.

Doktor G'Hul has been trying to find sources like this. Walking around north end , I see discaarded needles and other crap, but I never see the people. This is the source of the people's story...and that's what I want to understand. New subscriber.

Piles of this, piles of that? A lack of priority? Awesome? That's what a city council rep has to say? No direction, no ideas, no plans. This confirms this issue is real to Mr. May and not real to City reps. Completely disappointing. Thank you doing the video.

Wow. I met Sarah Humphrey in jail. She’s very friendly. This is very sad. I hope she can get an apartment and it actually helps her.

Msny in Saint John in that lifestyle know who I am because I was born and raised in Saint John I know a lot of the faces I'm seeing in this video One day I'll come back to St John and I'll open the ministry and it'll be a biblical bible-believing Ministry which will cause the streets to become cleaned up of addiction because we will bring Jesus Christ into the lives of the people and he is the only one going to change that problem that you got down there it was a flying biblical laws that has been keeping me sober for 6 years now I hit my first needle at age 17 and I did not stop until 34 I remember sitting in jail and thinking to myself 34 and I turn 34 in jail I turn 33 in jail I turn 32 and 31 all in jail and do you want to know something my birthday is Christmas Eve I truly got to call those years didn't I and I deserved it too Put one day God's going to send me back and unlike the church is you're seeing in your town today who have no power as it is written in the book of Acts you will see that power flow through the ministry I bring in to your town my old town I'm very aware of who the bigger guys are in St John and I stay clear of them at the same time I'm coming back one day in Jesus Christ is coming with me and we're going to clean up Saint John all in God's perfect timing and I'll teach you why your physical means are not going to help a spiritual problem This is spiritual more than anything else and when you begin to understand spiritual warfare and how to drive out the strong man that Jesus Christ tells us about that problem will not go away it will continue and it will get worse If you want to take what the devil has placed upon your land you must first tie up the strong man bind him and then you can go in and you can take everything he owns the hearts of the people stuck in addiction and oppression it is a spiritual problem and you're not going to fix it with physical means ever

It's sad what goes on in the world it's really getting bad in all our little towns and city's in canada and usa

It's the same situation in Moncton. Sad.

You've got area 506. Waterloo Street is Area 911

my brother died because safe supply made it easy for someone to slip fentanyl in a drug he was peer pressured into trying. the coroner said if he had a tolerance to either drug he might’ve survived. he was not an addict. he had just been promoted to head chef of a copper mine in Saskatchewan and his friends in Port Alberny wanted to celebrate

Hey it’s super cool how Derrick can help these strangers but won’t help his own child because he can’t accept certain things about me. He’s refusing to aid in my recovery and can put on a front for the news, but will not allow me to live with him unless I sacrifice myself and stay a woman to make him comfortable. He’s not about recovery, he’s about putting on a front.

The lack of understanding as to what addiction is and how it can be “cured” is astounding. Here’s a house, now go live your best life

The main problem is people continue to try to fix a spiritual problem with physical means and you will never fix a spiritual issue with physical means You need to pray you need to understand spiritual warfare and understand how to pray against it and then when you drive out the strong man you will see a change and that takes a lot of time to an effort This is a spiritual issue and until you truly understand this the problem will grow worse

I teach my daughters that a homeless person is no different than any other people, they've seen better days in the past, and with little help from us, they will restore their lives back.

Nice video hopefully thwy got something for there participation

We need a system that once they ask for help they must have to stay in the program for 6 mths, we also need funding to have these programs. If this doesn't happen then there is little to no chance for them.

Derrick doesn't even live on Waterloo St. He owns a house on the peninsula.

Lone Water Farm got shut down? wow that was a horible decision

Jesus Christ can set you free. ❤

Moncton is getting bad, I see it daily on my bus routes.

It's sad man that's my city

SO SAD, I WAS BORN IN SAINT JOHN(LIVED THERE TILL I STARTED SCHOOL IN MIRAMICHI). WAS IN SAINT JOHN TODAY(FOR UNION MEETING) & TRULY SAD TO SEE THE HOMELESS, DRUG ADDICTS ETC..WAS DRIVING OUT & AT AN INTERSECTION(TO GET ON HIGHWAY) & WOMAN BEGGAR LOOKING/PANHANDLING, I ROLLED DOWN WINDOW OF MY TRUCK & GAVE HER A CANDY BAR. THIS IS SO RAMPANT AFTER 8 YEARS OF TRUDEAU TYRANNICAL DICTATORSHIP. I PRAY FOR THESE LOST SOULS ON THE STREETS, FJT & LETS MAKE CANADA GREAT AGAIN GODBLESS🙏

St. John’s Newfoundland is the same way.

Ill tell you the process that needs to take place first there needs to be a staffed rooming house to monitor residents and their needs then they need to have those needs treated mental health drugs whatever THEN from there be tranferred to appropriate housing you cant take someone off the steet and plop them in a building they are not used to neighbors and how to act around them trust me i know first hand my landlord works with these people and every single time its been problematic i get everyone needs and deserves housing but there needs to some sort of help inbetween the streets and an apartment you just CANT put people straight into apartments with vulnerable kids and elderly it doesnt work i dont live far from derrik and what he sees is very true my own kid has seen people od right around our house we would love more than anything to get out but we cant afford the rents they are asking these days we are extremely lucky because we moved here when rents started increasing and this was a decent deal however if something happened theres no way in the world my family could afford the rents these days we have 1 min wage income and struggle just to get by we are barly keeping our heads above water at this point i dont even eat breakfast or lunch to make sure the kids eat every day

i think its a lack of jobs,its a dirty depressing city and drugs and dealers are takeing that void.u cant keep talking resources for more and more people and expect the people not doing drugs to pay for all of that through taxes.plus most of them like saraha wont help them selfs even though when there drugs run out and its cold now i want help till the chq comes in..lol..unreal.

Did you ask these people for their consent?

The main problem is people continue to try to fix a spiritual problem with physical means and you will never fix a spiritual issue with physical means You need to pray you need to understand spiritual warfare and understand how to pray against it and then when you drive out the strong man you will see a change and that takes a lot of time to an effort I do not disagree that some of them struggle with mental health disabilities book all of them that you think is a disability I'm telling you right now no it's not it is demonic oppression and when you understand Deliverance in Ministry biblical means in spiritual aspects when you understand what it means to tie up the strong man bind him and take all he owns then the land will be healed and the people as wel You go and study the statistics you're going to find out that the most high success rate in the highest success rates are of those who teach the recovery guys the word of God about Jesus Christ and I'm one of those people that overcome and exactly that

No lock them up but not in a harsh way food shelter and get them clean a jail can be used for different purposes but people don't see it that way

hard to have sympathy for an addict who says they dont need rehab,, they need an apartment....because we know thats bull

Want a different perspective I have one

A good barbershop....

Number #1...There need be good people in government who are making the decisions we all must live by and not ego filled sociopaths who will do anything for money. Number #2 Include indigenous elders who know how to care for the earth should be implemented into the Canadian government. Number # 3.. Bring back decriminalization of hard drug use. These sociopaths who sat around a table who decided this... alone is insane.. Our streets and parks and all around and filled with the outcome . Legally aiding addicts to perpetuate this is insanity. Use these monies instead towards detox centers, homelessness housing and counseling.. GET THE SOCIOPATHS OUT OF GOVERNMENT !!!!!!

Im tired of the poor me i had a life you write books about and i didn't turn to drugs and alcohol or giving my body up.I have know education and am 51 and have the best life i worked hard for everything i got.So i feel nothing for these people stop with excuses and fix your life and stop afecting others and the amount of trash around the city.Get it together

Even if you don't put people in the psyche ward or leave them on the street...wouldn't it be nice if there was a third option...something like community housing,a place to call home with access to gardening and dinner parties ...craftanoons, a place for yr pet.....with transport to town for day outs....drug,alcohol and meat free is a good security policy...plus bonus if it can be self governed...ie...talking stick circles once a week...avoid a power over situation...autonomy...individuation

Its alwas been like this here!!!!!!!!

why did you only speak to david hickey, the green candidate probably would’ve loved to chat. i assume you couldn’t speak to PCNB Arlene Dunn, elected MLA for SJ harbour, as she has stepped down from the Higgs cabinet.

The real truth is you all need the Lord Jesus Christ and then when you understand the spiritual warfare behind the problem then you can go and you can learn how to pray in a effective way that it will drive out the curse that is upon the land because that's what it is it is a curse that somebody put their and because the Christians in your town do not understand warfare and spiritual means is Why it got to where it did Y'all need Jesus Christ

You can't Supply a bunch of health organizations if you make it okay to do drugs you can expect to have a city overpopulated with drugs and then not clean the drugs up and then want people to pay for the health organizations you need to take the drugs out of the loop

You can't get them housing until they're clean at least for a year

The awareness in this city is overwhelming. We need less videos and photos and more personal and individual action! Open your homes, set up a free BBQ on the lawn, the govt isn't helping to rehab these individuals, and the ones that aren't in need of rehab need beds, showers, food, and things! We can't help with addiction service on a citizen level, but we CAN do so much more than photos and videos. If every one watching this opened their door for a night, or their dining room table - that would make a difference.😊

Not about the community it's about the cops getting the drugs off the streets

Derek is a man of action and we can support this selfless man as he leads the charge in ending poverty and getting Saint John to pick up our "downed" brothers and sisters. I believe in us! JESUS IS COMING SOON

Buddy being interviewed doesnt even know the homeless exploded when they tore down the salvation army homeless shelter uptown for water front condos and didnt replace it

This city is shit …. It’s really going now… Irving will leave soon….. it’s time to plan to leave this tax pit

Woke policies lead to this

Derrick was in the military, but he never served a tour or deployment. And he didn't retire. He claims to be mentally ill for disability benefits. Since he never served anywhere, he made up the most ridiculous story about being traumatized by a drunken barracks party when he was 19 and passed out with his pants down and the others mocked him. He said that traumatized him for life and he's too sick to work. Stealing from taxpayers and legitimate war veterans. This is a form of stolen valour, if you ask me, taking from real veterans. It's shameful. He should get a job if he wants to 'do work'. He certainly shouldn't be allowed around vulnerable people!

and so much falsifying of information, documents and diagnosis ....I am all for 'help' but not from 'professionals' who are corrupt with an agenda

DRUGS OR JESUS IS WHAT THESE PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH EVERYDAY

It's not house crisis it's a drug crisis