Overdoses

Overdoses

A significant increase in drug-related overdoses and deaths across B.C. prompted Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall to declare a public health emergency April 2016. 

If someone overdoses

  • call 9-1-1 immediately
  • provide rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth)
  • administer naloxone 

Ways to reduce your overdose risk

  • avoid using alone; fix with a friend
  • try a small amount of new drugs first
  • stagger use with friends so someone can respond if needed
  • avoid using more than one drug at a time (stacking drugs increases risk of overdoses and contributes to more severe overdoses)
  • carry and use naloxone and have an overdose response plan
  • be close to help
  • use an Overdose Prevention Service

This applies to all methods of drug consumption – injection, inhalation, snorting, smoking or consuming with alcohol.

Find an Overdose Prevention or Supervised Consumption Service 

Overdose Prevention and Supervised Consumption Services are locations where people can use illegal drugs under supervision by trained staff. As part of health care services, staff in these locations monitor people who are at risk of overdose and provide rapid intervention if necessary. 

Read the final report on the evaluation of overdose prevention sites in Campbell River, Courtenay, Cowichan Valley and Port Alberni.

Note: Overdose Prevention Services are allowed under special Ministerial Order (Ministerial Order M488) under the Emergency Services Act. Supervised Consumption Services are approved by Health Canada for exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Please see Overdose Prevention and Supervised Consumption Locations for a list of sites in your community.

Help Spread the Word

StopOverdoseBC.ca social media post suggestions - toolkit
People who use drugs are real people - poster
Overdose awareness at festivals - toolkit
Poster - Tips for safer drug use
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Get Help

How to respond to an opioid poisoning
Let's Talk: Speaking with Our Kids about Substance Use
Compassion as a Guiding Action

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Safe Needle Disposal
Safe Needle Disposal - rack card

Locations

News & Events

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Digital memory wall honours those lost due to toxic drug poisoning this International Overdose Awareness Day

This International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) August 31, Island Health is hosting a digital memory wall to honour those lost to a toxic drug poisoning. IOAD is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, and this online memorial encourages everyone to remember, without stigma, those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of family, friends and caregivers left behind. 

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Drug and health alert text system expands

Anyone in the Island Health region can now contribute data to help inform potential drug poisoning overdose advisories. 

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Inspirational Island Health employees embark on Road to Recovery

A pair of Cowichan-based Island Health employees are cycling across Canada this summer to raise funds and awareness about mental health, homelessness, substance use and brain injuries - and how these issues are so connected. 

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