WATCH: Island Health issued an urgent warning in two Vancouver island communities Friday after a massive spike in overdose calls. April Lawrence reports.
A surge of overdoses in Victoria and Campbell River has led Island Health to issue urgent advisories.
According to the health authority, there has been an increase in overdoses within Victoria over the past 24 hours. Campbell River has seen an increase in overdoses over the past 48 hours.
Island Health is reminding the public what to do if they see someone who has overdosed. The steps are to call 911 immediately, provide rescue breathing, administer naloxone, keep breathing for the person and stay with them until help arrives.
The health authority is also asking drug users to practice safer drug use by testing the product before a regular hit, use with a friend, stagger drug use with friends so someone can respond if needed, carry naloxone and have an overdose response plan.
If alone, drug users are asked to go to an overdose prevention sites.
OVERDOSE ADVISORY: There has been an increase in #overdoses in Victoria in the past 24 hours. #yyj #StopOverdose pic.twitter.com/jbADW0JeDF
— Island Health (@VanIslandHealth) October 27, 2017
File photo.
Alexa Huffman
