III. METHODS

Two Human Rights Watch researchers visited the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver for four days in April 2003, beginning on day six of the police crackdown commonly referred to as Operation Torpedo. Human Rights Watch conducted in-person interviews with twenty-six injection drug users, twelve providers of services to the injection drug users, two university-based researchers, and two members of the Vancouver city council. The majority of drug users were identified through local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that provide services to injection drug users; others were encountered in public places such as on the street. Human Rights Watch also observed police conduct on the streets of the Downtown Eastside at all hours of the day and night. Other interviews, including one with the district police commander for the area including the Downtown Eastside, were conducted by telephone. The names of some of the injection drug users whose testimonies are recounted in this report have been changed at their request or for their protection.