On Thursday, April 25th, Island Health issued a warning that there has been an uptick in overdoses caused by a toxic drug supply in Greater Victoria, the West Shore and Sooke.
The latest numbers from the Province show that in January and February alone, nearly 400 British Columbians died as a result of toxic drug use.
In 2023, at least 2,539 people died due to the crisis, 475 of whom were Vancouver Islanders.
Because of the higher than normal instances of overdose in the past week, Island Health is trying to put the word out that there is an influx of toxic drugs in the area.
This is in an effort to try to avoid unnecessary drug deaths by informing substance-users of ways they can safely use drugs.
The island’s health authority recommends:
- Getting drugs tested, a confidential and free service
- Learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose
- Pick up free Naloxone Kits and other harm reduction supplies and carry it with you
- Find a location: Toward the Heart site finder
- Visit one of the Care and Connection Kiosks
- Don’t use alone
- If using alone, download and use an app like Connect by Lifeguard, the Brave App or call the National Overdose Response Service 1-888-688-NORS (6677)
- Use at an overdose prevention site
- Consider using an Opioid Agonist Treatment
- Sign up for toxic drug alerts:
- Text JOIN to 253787 to subscribe
- Subscribers receive information about increases in toxic drug poisonings in their community
- Subscribers can text OD to 253787 to anonymously submit information about unregulated drug poisonings
PLEASE SHARE: A Drug Poisoning/Overdose Advisory has been issued for #GreaterVictoria #Sooke and #Westshore areas. Visit Island Health’s Harm Reduction Services page at https://t.co/u6zRPeYdgt to find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more. pic.twitter.com/eRHVY51kh9
— Island Health (@VanIslandHealth) April 25, 2024
