Harm Reduction for Substance Use

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 comprehensive public health approach to substance use.

Improve safety when using unregulated substances

• Get your drugs tested, confidentially and for free. Find a drug checking service near you.
• Learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose.
• Pick up free Take Home Naloxone Kits and harm reduction supplies:
  • Find a location: Toward the Heart site finder
• If using alone:
  • Download and use LifeguardConnect.
  • Call the National Overdose Response Service 1-888-688-NORS (6677).
• Use at an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS).
• Consider using an Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT).
• Sign up for toxic drug alerts:
  • Text JOIN to 253787 to subscribe.
  • Subscribers receive information about increases in toxic drug poisonings in their community.
  • Subscribers can text OD to 253787 to anonymously submit information about unregulated drug poisonings.

Find support for substance use

• Call Access Central at 1-888-855-8824
• Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441
• Kuu-us Aboriginal Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
• Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888 (or text: 250-800-3806)
• Find more mental health and substance use resources
• Check out the First Nations Health Authority webpage on Harm Reduction

Possession and use of illicit substances is prohibited in all hospitals. The Ministry of Health shared new guidance for all health authorities​. Island Health policies and practice tools are being updated to align with provincial guidelines. 

Decriminalization of small amounts of certain illicit substances for personal use still applies in private homes, shelters, outpatient addiction clinics, overdose prevention sites and drug-checking service locations.

*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.