The following message was sent to CLBC service provider agencies from Ross Chilton, CEO, Community Living BC:
Following International Overdose Awareness Day, we want to remind you about some resources to assist you in the important work you do to support some individuals who may be struggling with an addiction and/or accessing the toxic drug supply. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our communities have also continued to face drug-related overdoses and deaths which led to the Province declaring a public health emergency.
The health, safety and well-being of the people we serve is our shared top priority. We encourage service providers themselves to consider obtaining a Naloxone kit and completing training.
There are important educational and information resources online, including:
- The First Nations Health Authority web site has overdose resources, including videos, posters and fact sheets
- The B.C. Government has an overdose prevention and response web page with resources including:
- Naloxone Training Online
- Information about overdose prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Other services and information topics about overdose prevention and response
- Local Health Authority web sites also include information about harm reduction services and overdose prevention and response services
- The BC Centre for Disease Control website has information related to the overdose emergency
- First Aid for Opioid Overdoses Online Course | Red Cross
- Call 8-1-1 for non-emergency help and advice with supporting an individual at risk of substance use. If you suspect an overdose, call 9-1-1 right away and follow the SAVE ME protocol while waiting for first responders.
- Use this Overdose Risk Assessment Tool developed by Turning Point Recovery
- New B.C. Government Wellbeing website to help people more easily navigate and connect with mental health and substance use information and supports
No individual should have to struggle through this alone, so thank you for all you do to provide supports. If there is other information that would help your organization safely support at-risk individuals please let us know.
Sincerely,
Ross Chilton
CEO
Community Living BC
