This week, the BC government implemented new minimum standards for overdose prevention service providers and the sites on which they operate.
The Province says this was done in an effort to enhance safety, consistency and oversight.
The goal is to have these new standards provide a framework for better integration of overdose prevention services into communities.
However, the Province did concede that many overdose prevention services already meet and exceed the new minimum standards, but by setting them, there will be no gaps in service for new providers.
Some examples of the minimum standards are:
- Providers must have connections with other health and social services
- They must handle the distribution and disposal of harm reduction supplies, including naloxone and needles
- They must implement a cultural safety and humility policy
- They must have protocols in place for what to do with substances left behind
These are just a few of the many standards set. All the requirements and newly set minimum standards can be found online, here.
Overdose prevention services are essentially a harm-reduction approach to drug use and the services that oversee consumption.
These services range from providing observed consumption of substances and ensuring rapid response to toxic drug poisoning events, or overdoses.
According to the Province, since the beginning of 2017, there have been more than 5.6 million visits to overdose prevention services or supervised consumption sites.
Additionally, these services are estimated to have prevented more than 12,400 overdose deaths since 2019.
There has been a province-wide public health emergency in effect since April 2016, and in that time, over 16,700 British Columbians have died of toxic drug use.
“Every life lost to the toxic-drug crisis is someone’s brother, sister, parent, or child, and every loss is a tragedy we cannot afford to ignore,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
“Although we have made progress, families and communities are still deeply affected by the toxic-drug crisis, and it’s essential that we keep working to create a seamless, comprehensive system of care.”
Osborne added that overdose prevention services are proven to be critical in saving lives, connecting people to treatment and reducing public drug use.
In addition to these new minimum standards, the Province has provided direction to regional health authorities on consultation and approval requirements for new overdose prevention services at hospital sites.
Currently, there are nine overdose prevention services at hospitals in BC, and a total of 58 satellite overdose prevention services or supervised consumption sites around the province.
The Province noted that the use of illicit drugs is still prohibited outside of overdose prevention services in hospitals and in public spaces.
