The Blue Hollywood Street sanctuary run by Quincy Brown (“Pastor Blue”) demonstrates the paradox brought about by the nation’s now 52-year war on drugs. Safe sites for monitored drug use are seen as beneficial by public health experts but remain largely illegal.
Quincy “Pastor Blue” Brown, co-founder of the Blue Hollywood Street Sanctuary, a half-block long stretch of sidewalk on Los Angeles’ Skid Row, speaks to a video blogger as he gets ready for his monthly birthday celebration with his community. Brown helps get food ready during his monthly birthday celebration with his community. The food was sponsored by the Los Angeles Community Action Network. Barbie Carter, who once lived on Skid Row, arrives to attend a monthly birthday celebration hosted by Brown. At Blue Hollywood, anyone can obtain free clean pipes and naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan, pictured), a nasal spray medication that can reverse overdoses. While injection drugs are less commonly used at the sanctuary, free clean needles are available. A Blue Hollywood community member packs a pipe that he later smoked there. Men and women play dominoes and enjoy snacks and bottled water.Brown plays dominoes with community members. Skid Row residents relax at Blue Hollywood. Men and women play dominoes and enjoy snacks and bottled water. Brown walks to a corner store to get ice to cool soft drinks for the monthly birthday celebration.Barbie Carter, who once lived on Skid Row, is a great friend to Brown and often comes to his sidewalk center to visit with him and other community members. Torrell (first name only) has his cornrows styled, along the sidewalk, by La Sharron aka Chocolaté. Barbie Carter, a former denizen of Skid Row, walks out of a tent — which is Brown’s “office.” Brown prepares for Sunday bible class. A group bible class.
