Trey Helten Death, Obituary — Vancouver, BC: Remembering Trey Helten, Tireless Advocate, Harm Reduction Leader, and Beacon of Hope in British Columbia’s Fight Against the Toxic Drug Crisis

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Trey Helten, a dedicated harm reduction advocate, community organizer, and frontline worker who served as a manager at Vancouver’s Overdose Prevention Society (OPS). Trey passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind a city and a community deeply shaken by his loss. His absence reverberates not only in the hearts of his colleagues and loved ones but also in the lives of countless individuals who were touched by his compassion, empathy, and relentless commitment to saving lives.

From Struggle to Strength: A Life Redeemed by Service

Trey Helten’s personal journey is one of transformation, redemption, and deep moral clarity. As someone who once struggled with heroin and methamphetamine addiction, Trey lived firsthand the brutal realities of life on the streets in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside—a neighborhood both ravaged by the opioid crisis and resilient through community care. These lived experiences were not footnotes in his life story; they were foundational. They gave him an unmatched ability to connect, with authenticity and honesty, to those who are too often left behind in the public health narrative.

In the very alleys and shelters where he once fought for survival, Trey became a leader, mentor, and advocate. His recovery was not just about overcoming addiction but about forging a purpose out of pain. It was in these streets that he found his voice—and chose to use it to amplify others’.

Harm Reduction as a Calling, Not a Job

Trey wasn’t simply an employee at the Overdose Prevention Society—he was its lifeblood. At OPS, his work extended far beyond administration. He was the first to step in during crises, the last to leave after long days of outreach, and a trusted peer to those society often ignores. He embodied the values of harm reduction not as a professional obligation, but as a moral duty rooted in love for his community.

Harm reduction work, particularly on the front lines of an ongoing public health emergency, is emotionally grueling and physically exhausting. Yet Trey showed up every day—with strength, vulnerability, and unmatched compassion. He distributed clean supplies, trained volunteers in overdose response, and mentored countless individuals in recovery. To many, he was the difference between life and death.

Christmas Day Heroism: A Snapshot of Who He Was

A single story, among many, speaks to Trey’s courage and conviction. On Christmas Day—when many would rest or celebrate—Trey and his OPS colleagues encountered a man in the grips of a fatal overdose. Without hesitation, they administered Naloxone. The man had stopped breathing. Time slowed. Trey remained calm. Moments later, the man took a breath. He lived.

That moment didn’t make headlines. But it is emblematic of the countless quiet acts of heroism Trey performed. For every saved life that we can count, there are dozens more altered by his kindness.

A Trusted Voice, A Public Advocate

Trey was also a key public figure in Vancouver’s harm reduction landscape. He often spoke to media outlets, attended city forums, and met with health officials to advocate for safer supply, decriminalization, and the expansion of supervised consumption sites. His voice was raw, honest, and impossible to ignore. He never sanitized his message to appease politicians or policymakers. He spoke truth to power, not for personal recognition, but to be a voice for the voiceless.

He helped push forward conversations around systemic racism, poverty, mental health, and the stigma surrounding substance use. Trey’s presence reminded people—both inside and outside government—that data and policy must always be grounded in humanity.

The Community Responds: Mourning with Love, Anger, and Resolve

Trey’s passing has sparked a profound wave of mourning across Vancouver and beyond. At the Overdose Prevention Society, staff and clients have created a memorial wall where people leave flowers, candles, and handwritten notes. Tributes pour in daily on social media—words from those whose lives Trey helped save, from fellow advocates, from grieving families who say, “He was there when no one else was.”

Local harm reduction organizations held vigils and community circles, where people shared memories of Trey’s humor, his relentless optimism, his grounded leadership, and his unwavering dedication. Many also voiced their anger—that despite years of advocacy, people like Trey, and the vulnerable individuals he fought for, continue to bear the burden of a system that has failed to act decisively.

“He shouldn’t have died,” one colleague said at a recent vigil. “But even in death, Trey is reminding us why this work matters. Why we can’t stop.”

Honoring the Work Left Unfinished

Trey Helten’s legacy is not defined by the circumstances of his death but by the totality of his life—one rooted in healing, empowerment, and radical love for those often forgotten. The best way to honor him is not only with remembrance but with continued action. Harm reduction, safe supply, decriminalization, and compassion-based care were not just policy positions to him—they were lifelines.

Trey often spoke about the importance of meeting people “where they’re at.” That principle—of radical acceptance—should continue to guide harm reduction efforts, not only in Vancouver but across Canada and beyond.

His story is now woven into the fabric of the Downtown Eastside—a reminder that from the depths of despair, profound leadership can rise. His loss leaves a void, but also a roadmap: serve with humility, speak with honesty, and always fight for dignity.

Survivors, Family, and Loved Ones

Trey is survived by a community of friends, co-workers, and chosen family who loved him deeply. While specific family details have not been publicly released, he was known to speak with deep respect and love for those who supported him during his recovery. His OPS family described him as “a brother,” “a teacher,” and “a protector.”

In interviews over the years, Trey often acknowledged that the recovery community, and the people of the Downtown Eastside, were his family. “We take care of each other,” he said. “It’s the only way we survive.”

Final Words

Trey Helten was a warrior. Not in a conventional sense—but in the deepest, most human way. He fought for every life, every breath, every moment. He stood in the breach when so many turned away. His work saved lives, changed policies, and transformed a neighborhood’s sense of its own worth.

He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. Trey’s legacy will echo in every dose of Naloxone administered, in every life saved at OPS, and in every voice that refuses to be silenced.

In the words of one OPS volunteer:
“He taught me that survival isn’t just about staying alive—it’s about holding onto hope. That’s what Trey gave us. Hope.”