Harm Reduction for Substance Use

On April 26, the Province announced steps to ensure employee and patient safety with regards to illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals. As such, Island Health will be enhancing education and awareness to better support staff in unsafe situations, consistently prohibiting drug possession, use, and purchasing in hospitals across B.C., and improving treatment and recovery support for patients with substance or opioid-use disorders.


Harm reduction services help people who use unregulated substances lower their risk of harm, injury and death. Combined with prevention, treatment and recovery, harm reduction is part of a public health approach to substance use.

Stay safer if you use unregulated substances

Find support for substance use


*Overdose Prevention Services are allowed under special Ministerial Order (Ministerial Order M488) under the Emergency Services Act. Supervised Consumption Services are approved by Health Canada for exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

General Information on Harm Reduction for Substance Use

Referral Required?
Not required

News & Events

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Spreading the supports: Island Health grant to help expansion of youth suicide prevention program

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