After rehabilitating himself from a heroin addiction Turvey worked as a social worker in Vancouver for the provincial Ministry of Human Resources.
Turvey initiated a needle exchange program in 1988[2] in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside that was later replaced by a government-run safe injection site.
[3] Turvey worked as the Executive Director of the Downtown Eastside Youth Activities Society for 20 years[4] before being diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy and retiring.
Turvey was recognized by the Atlanta-based Centres for Disease Control in 1993 for running the most cost-effective needle exchange program in North America.
[5] Upon his investiture as a member of the Order of Canada he was recognized as a formidable advocate for the disadvantaged, particularly youth, and was credited for bringing about changes in the Criminal Code and increased public awareness of issues concerning sexually exploited children.