He came back and saved people: Downtown Eastside grieves advocates sudden death – BC [Video]

In a moving tribute on Saturday, community members from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) and beyond turned out to celebrate the life of Trey Helten, who died suddenly last month at age 42.

Helten spent several years managing the Overdose Prevention Society (OPS) at 141 East Hastings Street, where he is credited with saving hundreds of lives during the toxic drug crisis.

“He made a promise to me that he wouldn’t go back on drugs and he kept that promise for seven and a half years,” recalled Derrick Nash with OPS.

Nash, who knew Helten through OPS, said he remembers his friend’s forgiveness, thoughtfulness and endearment.

“He was an inspiration for everybody, and it’s sad the way it ended, but it’s (going) to go down in history as the man who almost did it,” Nash told Global News in an interview.

Norma Vaillancourt, who worked with Helten at OPS, remembered how …