August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day
💜 Today on International Overdose Awareness Day, we stand together across the globe declaring it’s time for change. We are showing up, speaking up, and saying loudly – let’s end overdose! 💜
💜 Digital Memory Wall: a space to reflect on International Overdose Awareness Day 💜
💜 Here are some local resources:
- Island Health Mental Health & Substance Use Services
- Rapid Access Clinic: The Rapid Access Clinic (RAC) in Duncan is a walk-in clinic offered through Mental Health and Substance Use. Adults can drop-in for one crisis counselling session with a mental health and substance use clinician (non-psychiatry) and receive information and referrals for connecting with the most appropriate service.
- Drug and alcohol use support (Access Central) Call to talk with a health care team about your drug or alcohol use. They will listen, help you make a plan, and connect you to services like withdrawal management (detox), counselling, or treatment programs. You don’t need to know what service you need before you call. You do not need a referral. You do not need a primary care provider. It’s free to call.
- To see which facilities provide services, visit Mental Health and Substance Use Locations.
- To learn more about this topic, visit Mental Health and Substance Use.
- Cowichan Valley Mental Health & Substance Use Provide services for individuals with moderate to severe adult mental health and substance use concerns.
- Regional Treatment Beds Program Island Health operates or funds substance use treatment beds for adults to support withdrawal management (detox), treatment and supportive recovery. Subsidized treatment beds are available at the following sites:
- Cedars (Cobble Hill)
- Coastal Sage Healing House (Victoria)
- Edgewood Treatment Centre (Nanaimo)
- Cowichan Tribes Opioid Response For help with addiction, ALL Cowichan Tribes members can access helpful services and supports from Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre, Island Health, and the First Nations Health Authority.
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- Kwun’atsustul Treatment Coordinator
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 am—4:30 pm| Call: 250-732-6055 or message via Facebook.
- Kwun’atsustul Treatment Coordinator Alexis Cage helps Cowichan members with support, detox, and treatment for substance misuse and addictions.
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- Sa’qw’thut Culturally-Grounded Treatment Program
- Tues—Fri, 11:00 am—3:00 pm|Call: 250-732-3487 email: Deanna.Thompson@cowichantribes.com
- Cowichan Tribes’ culturally-grounded treatment program based on the Quw’utsun Snuw’uy’ulh (Teachings). Open to Cowichan Tribes members and their families.
- Addictions Medicine Support at Slhexun Sun’ts’a Clinic
- Mon-Fri, 9 am to 4:30 pm |121 Ingram St Call 250-715-3322 for appointment
- Nursing, outreach, and social determinants of health supports. Harm reduction supplies. Naloxone kits.
- Dr. Elizabeth Plant, Physician, and Sherry Katz, Nurse Practitioner, can provide medical support for substance use, and help members who are using opioids or need support for withdrawal.
- Drop-ins with Dr. Plant are on Mondays from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm
- Drop-ins with Sherry Katz are Tuesday to Friday from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm
- Rapid Access Clinic at Duncan Mental Health and Substance Use
- Drop-In Only | Mon-Fri, 10 am to 2:00 pm, arrive before 1:30 pm | 3088 Gibbins Rd. |250-709-3040
- A walk-in clinic for adults with addiction and mental health challenges.
- Open to ALL Cowichan Tribes members.
- Drop-in service, no appointment necessary. Please arrive before 1:30 pm. Adults drop in for a 40 to 60 minute conversation with a supportive healthcare professional. Options are given for next steps such as referrals to detox, treatment, or other helpful support resources.
- Cowichan Overdose Prevention Site
- Open 7 days a week, 8 am to 8 pm | 5878 York Road | 250-597-7779
- A safe space with friendly staff and zero judgment. You don’t need to give your name.
- Supervised consumption including injection and smoking. Provides supports and referrals to detox, treatment, and safe supply of substances.
Download the How to Respond to an Overdose Poster, and please share on your social media:
- Crisis Lines If you are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, please call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line, available 24/7 1-888-494-3888. You can also call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. Visit Get support now for more information.
Kuu-us Crisis and Care Society – Province-wide Indigenous Toll Free Crisis and Support Line, available 24/7 1-800-KUU-US17 (8717).
Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
Child/Youth: 250-723-2040
Métis Line: 1-833-638-4722Chat and text support available 7 days a week, from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. 778-601-8009
- Toxic drug alerts: get alerts about increases in toxic drug poisonings in your community:
- Text JOIN to 253787 to subscribe
- Text OD to 253787 to anonymously submit information about unregulated drug poisonings
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Looking for for educational information about drug safety for kids? Stop by our office to pick up a free copy of the Community Safety Net Drug Safety guide or download the app from the Apple store or Google Play.
