Overdose prevention & response

Overdose rates in B.C. are dramatically on the rise. In April 2016, it was declared a public health emergency. We are extremely concerned about the high number of overdoses and overdose deaths in our region and throughout the province and continue to take steps to respond.

Help us warn people about contaminated street drugs

Click the button below to fill out an anonymous form. For emergencies call 9-1-1.
Report bad dope

Prevent an overdose

Follow these tips to reduce the chance of experiencing an overdose:

Don’t use alone
Start with a small amount
Mixing substances, including alcohol, increases risk of overdose
Use where help is easily available (e.g. Insite supervised injection site, around other people)
Make a plan/know how to respond in case of an overdose

Overdose information

An overdose is when more drugs have been taken than the body can handle.

Learn the signs of an overdose

For parents

Letter to parents and caregivers about drug overdose
Talking to youth about drug overdoses

For youth

What youth need to know about drug overdoses
Youth handout: Reduce your risk of a drug overdose

Reverse an overdose with naloxone

Unintentional deaths and injury from opioid overdose are preventable with overdose and naloxone education. Naloxone can quickly reverse an overdose. People can be trained to recognize and respond to an overdose by using a free take home naloxone kit. The training is free and takes 20 minutes. Find the nearest Take Home Naloxone site in the VCH area with the map below. For sites across BC, visit Toward the Heart - Site Locator.

Watch this video from Toward the Heart about how to use naloxone
How to use naloxone infographic
Naloxone risk assessment tool for non-public sector organizations
Naloxone risk assessment tool for public sector organizations

Content Editor

Monthly overdose statistics

‎Read the latest overdose statistics & VCH actions to address the crisis.

For health professionals

View the VCH weekly overdose surveillance updates.
Visit the Opioid addiction & treatment page to find the overdose prevention checklist for service providers and the guideline for the treatment of opioid addiction for physicians.