I lived right by the Chumir from about 2013 to late 2017 and didn't see any issues with needles around at the time. Disappointing if that's what's happening now.
I now live walking distance to the DTES in Vancouver and pictures like that are part of every day life. This is just my own anecdotal experience but from what I've seen safe injection sites don't keep needles and drug use off the streets. I suppose its possible it could be worse without them. Seems to me a lot of users simply get their gear from the sites and wander around and leave their debris on the streets anyways.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
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