Substance Use & Addiction

Thanks to generous financial support from the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, a mobile service for youth wellness will soon be hitting the road.

A teen who started a foundation to raise awareness about homelessness and a college student whose journey with mental illness and recovery is revealed in a local documentary are the winners of Island Health’s 2022 MHSU Community Service Awards. 

Sadly, the drug poisoning crisis continues. Innovative actions are underway to address this complex issue.

Island Health has launched a campaign targeting men to raise awareness of the range of services available to help people stay safer when using drugs and prevent overdoses caused by the toxic illicit drug supply. 

Nanaimo — Island Health has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Overdose Prevention Services (OPS) service provider at a new location, which will complement and improve access to life-saving overdose prevention services in the Nanaimo region. 

The ongoing dual public health emergencies (drug poisoning/overdose crisis and COVID-19 pandemic) have increased the need for life-saving OPS sites.

An integrated health-care approach that will save lives and support those living with substance use is the cornerstone of the new Cowichan Valley Wellness and Recovery Centre, which officially opened on November 1.

A better experience for people who use opioids and their care providers is the goal of two pilot projects underway at emergency departments in Campbell River and Victoria.

A new language guide is available to help address stigma experienced by people with substance dependency.

Island Health has selected Lookout Housing and Health Society to provide harm reduction services in the Cowichan Valley.

Life-saving initiative will provide pharmaceutical-grade medication as alternative to toxic drug supply during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.