A drug poisoning advisory has been issued for Campbell River, where overdoses are on the rise, according to Island Health.
The advisory was issued on Wednesday, Oct. 11, and will be removed after seven days, the health authority said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Friends, family and community members using opioids and stimulants face increased risk from injection and inhalation,” it says in the advisory.
“Overdoses are increasing in Campbell River.”
It says people who see someone overdosing should call 911, stay with them, give Naloxone and give one breath every five seconds.
For safer drug use, visit Campbell River’s local overdose prevention site (OPS), which is located at 5-1330 Dogwood St. and open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. People can also get their drugs checked there, with drop-off from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
READ ALSO: Ramping up drug testing in B.C. could save lives, activists say
Drug users should also carry Naloxone, use one substance at a time, know their tolerance, start low and go slow, stagger use with a friend, and, if using alone, let someone know, download Connect by Lifeguard here or call the National OD Response Service at 1-888-688-6677.
Island Health has information about overdose prevention services here, harm reduction services here and Indigenous-specific information here.
The advisory comes about two weeks after B.C.’s Coroners Service said 174 people died from toxic drug supply in August. That amounted to 5.6 deaths per day and brought the total number for the year to 1,645.
So far this year, Greater Campbell River (31) and Southern Gulf Islands (4) have had the same number of unregulated drug deaths by August compared to all of 2022.
READ MORE: Three Island communities have equalled or surpassed number of drug deaths from last year
PLEASE SHARE: A #DrugPoisoning Advisory has been issued for #CampbellRiver.
Visit our #OverdosePrevention Services page: https://t.co/ILWfLJrJyG
Harm reduction services: https://t.co/2CekxmmRRs
For Indigenous-specific information: https://t.co/wXkoie2qsZ pic.twitter.com/5FmccHgMwB
— Island Health (@VanIslandHealth) October 11, 2023
Ethan Morneau
