Island Health issues drug poisoning advisory for Greater Victoria, West Shore, Sooke

Island Health has issued a drug poisoning/overdose advisory for Greater Victoria, West Shore and Sooke.

This means that there has been an increase in overdoses in these regions and people using opioids or stimulants face an increased risk from injection or inhalation.

Island Health advises that if someone overdoses, you should call 911 and stay with them, give Naloxone, and give one breath every five seconds.

Those using drugs are advised to visit local overdose prevention services, get your drugs checked, use one substance at a time, carry naloxone, know your tolerance, start low and go slow, and stagger use with a friend.

Local overdose prevention services can be found at:

• The Harbour at 941 Pandora Avenue. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Rock Bay Landing at 535 Ellice Street. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• AVI at 713 Johnson Street. Open daily 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Drugs can be checked at Substance at 1802 Cook Street. Open Monday to Saturday from 12 to 7 p.m.

If you are using alone, Island Health advises that you let someone know and ask them to check on you, download Connect by Lifeguard or call the National OD Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS(6677).

This advisory comes shortly after B.C. passed the eight year mark since the public health emergency was declared due to the rate of overdoses.

READ PREVIOUS: Eight years since B.C. declared public health emergency, toxic drug crisis rages on

In February, 177 people died due to unregulated drugs in B.C., which is an 11 per cent decrease from Februrary 2023 and a 12 per cent decrease from January 2024.

In Island Health, 44 people died in February and up to the end of the month 20 people had died in Greater Victoria due to toxic drugs.

READ PREVIOUS: Vancouver Island among highest drug death rates in B.C., but province sees 11% decrease in Feb.

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