After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

drug addiction

Two giant sequels and several worthy smaller films reviewed

Including new appreciations of Emily Dickinson and Pavarotti, the real story of auto builder John DeLorean, a British filmmaker inspired to draw on her own life and two oddball seniors falling in love

How Whitney Houston saved my life

Whitney Houston's songs helped many find hope in recovering from drug addiction, a problem she suffered with over the years.

Whitney Houston dead at 48

One of pop music's biggest stars has died tonight, just one day away from the 2012 Grammy Awards.

Attachment or authenticity: which would you choose?

When you accept your real self, does the need for addictions and dependency disappear?

Gabor Maté: 'Organized insanity' for doctors to ignore health, poverty link

Can social inequity cause sickness? Vancouver's Dr. Gabor Maté thinks so.

Ashlie Gough death a 'tragedy' says family, but don't blame Occupy Vancouver

One week after the death of Ashlie Gough at Occupy Vancouver, her family confirmed she died of a heroin overdose – but said they find most portrayals of Gough “upsetting" and "inaccurate."

Occupy Vancouver reflects on day after death of 23-year old: slideshow

A day after a woman -- now identified by police as Ashlie Gough, 23, of Victoria -- was found dead at Occupy Vancouver, energy at the camp was "thick" as demonstrators debated their next steps.

Occupy Vancouver in shock after suspected overdose death

Occupy Vancouver protestors held a candle-light vigil to mourn the death of a woman who died of a suspected overdose Saturday at the camp, while Mayor Robertson announced the tent city must go.

Charlie Sheen burned by William Shatner's jokes on "Roast" show

Comedy Central Roasts Charlie Sheen Monday night with hilarious dirty jokes that just kept on coming.

Crack pipes delivered to addicts

As Downtown Eastside residents await the arrival of clean crack pipes at Insite, workers from the PHS Vancouver Mobile Needle Exchange deliver tens of thousands of clean crack pipes to drug users in...