Having courageous conversations about substance use begins by being a good listener. Learn more about how to reach out to the people you care about. How to have courageous conversations - BC Gov
The opioid overdose emergency is affecting people from all walks of life but those affected continue to feel stigmatized. Stigma, or negative attitudes or beliefs, can have a major impact on the quality of life of people who use drugs, people in recovery and their families. It can prevent people from getting help. It can also reduce the quality of help people receive and make their condition worse.
Learn how you can stop stigma - Visit the Government of Canada webpage on stigma
While youth aged 10 to 18 are not considered high risk for an overdose death, school-aged youth are not untouched by tragedy, either directly or through family, friends, and media attention to this emergency.
Letter to parents and caregivers about drug overdose
Talking to youth about drug overdoses
Free youth addiction services
Lots of people are talking about drug overdoses these days because more and more people in BC are having them, including some young people.
What youth need to know about drug overdoses
Youth handout: Reduce your risk of a drug overdose
Free youth addiction services
Drug overdose is the leading cause of death for individuals recently released from prison. More than 17,000 inmates are released from BC Corrections every year. Approximately 30% of BC Corrections inmates are diagnosed with a substance use disorder.
Studies have shown increased mortality due to illicit drug overdose among people who were recently released from prison, especially within the first 2 weeks after being released.
Former inmates should be aware of this risk and access health services (such as a naloxone kit, opioid agonist therapy etc.) to reduce their risk.