VCH Harm Reduction Services Program qathet RD / Powell River
3rd Floor, 5000 Joyce Avenue V8A 5R3 Powell River, BC, Canada

"ALERT: White shiny pebbles thought to be crack cocaine tested positive for fentanyl and negative for cocaine. Please use at an OPS/SCS. www.vch.ca/overdose " (from RADAR (Bad Dope) text alerts, not region-specific. See below for how to sign up for text alerts).

Starting this Friday -- FOR ADULTS GRIEVING THE DEATH OF SOMEBODY BY ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE Free, confidential. Fridays, April 9, 16, 23, and 30th from 4-5:30 at the ARC community Centre 7055 Alberni Street CALL Jackie at Hospice TO REGISTER: 604-223-7309

To get BAD DOPE ALERT texts: text "alert" to (236) 999-DOPE (3673).To get BAD DOPE ALERT texts: text "alert" to (236) 999-DOPE (3673).

ALERT 1: ORANGE powder tested positive for CARFENTANIL and BROMAZOLAM, a novel benzodiazepine, in Vancouver. ALERT 2: HYDROMORPHONE tablet tested positive for FENTANYL in Downtown Eastside. DO NOT USE ALONE. Use at OPS/SCS. Get your drugs checked at any OPS/SCS.

The Be Safe App is designed for people who use alone. It is safer to use at the Overdose Prevention Site, or to have a friend nearby, however, if you're going to use alone, consider the Be Safe or Lifeguard App. The Be Safe app requires someone to have a smartphone and internet connection. "It works as follows (more info at the dedicated website linked below):... a person pushes a button in the app to connect by voice with a Supporter; The Caller and Supporter establish and agree a Rescue Plan and stay on the phone until the Caller is no longer at risk of overdose, at which point the Caller is able to end the call. if the Supporter ends the call, or is disconnected, the Caller is connected to a back-up Supporter. If the Caller becomes unresponsive the Supporter notifies the Caller, through the app, that help is being called, and the Caller is given an opportunity to respond (if they have not, in fact, overdosed). If the Caller does not respond, their location, together with additional information such as a preferred contact, is disclosed to the Supporter, who can connect with emergency and community responders to send help. "

This is a short video series from the Provincial Health Services Authority -- How to Filter Tablet Medication for Injection.

It's always safer to use with a friend (and bring Naloxone) or go to the local Overdose Prevention Site. But if you do use alone, please consider downloading the free Lifeguard App.

Attention: There have been reports of high concentrations of fentanyl in the local drug supply. As always, we suggest that folks: Get their drugs checked Don’t use alone Use the Lifeguard app Use at the OPSAttention: There have been reports of high concentrations of fentanyl in the local drug supply. As always, we suggest that folks: Get their drugs checked Don’t use alone Use the Lifeguard app Use at the OPS

Mobile Outreach is available! Contact us at 604-223-7761 or 604-223-8184 and we will bring you supplies, snacks, Naloxone and more! #stopoverdose

The Lifeguard App is now available in Powell River. To use this app, you must be connected to WIFI. This app is directly connected to BC Ambulance Services. Download the app onto your phone and use 24/7. Please do not use alone. Reach out for support. #stopoverdose 1. Type in name and phone number. 4-DIGIT Verification Code is sent to your phone - input that into the "Enter Code" box. Emergency Contact must not be the same number as your own number. 2. Press "I accept" button... after reading the warning message. 3. Select drugs you will use and tap START (ORANGE button) 4. Confirm address and put in any other location details (e.g. behind the building, in the washroom, Apartment #) 5. The timer starts and runs for 1 minute - if you need more time, press PAUSE (YELLOW button). To increase length of timer, tap SNOOZE (RED button). At 10 seconds, an alarm rings. Press STOP button to shut off the alarm. 6. If you do not press STOP, Emergency Services will call your phone. If you do not answer, Emergency Services will be on your way to your location. You can also press HELP LINE (ORANGE button) to be connected to supports. You can watch the video or download the guides to learn more. https://lifeguarddh.com/resources/how-to-guides/

Stop by the Overdose Prevention Site for supervised use, overdose response, harm reduction supplies, drug checking (fentanyl and benzos), smiles, snacks, and non-judgmental peer support. We care about you - please don't use alone. 7 days a week / 4-8PM / located in the Community Resource Centre at 4752 Joyce Ave. #stopoverdose

Looking for harm reduction services and supplies? We offer Mobile Delivery (free and confidential) from Lund to Saltery Bay. We will meet you where you are at. New supplies, Naloxone, snacks, toiletries, referrals, resources, pick up used containers, and more. Text or call us to set up a time to meet - Jessica @604-223-7761 or Jaynie at 604-223-8184 (same day service may not be available). *Please note our on-site location at the Hospital is currently closed due to COVID-19. You can still drop off full containers to our outdoor sharps box located in the parking lot at the back of the Hospital.

Please complete this survey and share widely? The qathet Regional District Housing Needs Assessment needs to hear YOUR voice! https://participatepr.ca/housing

LOCAL Vancouver Coastal Health programs to support our community members with health and wellness VCH Harm Reduction Services Program qathet RD / Powell River Safer use supplies, Naloxone kits, information and referrals. Mobile Delivery only (on-site location is closed temporarily due to COVID-19). Mon, Wed - Fri 9AM -3PM. Phone: 604-223-7761... VCH Intensive Case Management Team Wrap-around care with Nurses & Outreach Workers. At home withdrawal management services 7 days a week | 9am-7pm Phone: 604-485-3300 ext. 4505 (please call to make an appointment) VCH Mental Health Emergency Services Brief crisis intervention, stabilization, and support. Support to clients and family (phone and in-person). 7 days a week | 9am-4pm Phone: 604-414-3528 (cell) 604-485-3300 VCH Mental Health & Substance Use Team In-take, counsellors, and referrals Monday - Friday | 8:30am - 4:30pm Phone: 604-485-3300 VCH Overdose Outreach Team Navigation to health, social, and community resources. Overdose prevention, Naloxone, and Opioid Agonist Therapy Monday- Friday | 8:30am-4:30pm Phone: 604-223-0413 | VCH Public Health Programs include Healthy Babies, vaccinations, Youth Clinic, S.A.F.E. Clinic (Sexual Awareness for Everyone). Call for information about specific programs. Phone: 604-485-3310 5000 VCH Youth Coordinator: Mental Health & Substance Use Counselling, education, harm reduction support, treatment referrals for youth aged 13-19. Self-refer or be referred by practitioner. Phone: Erica at 604-414-5920

BC Provincial Overdose Alert Increased Drug Toxicity Reported Across BC (both stimulants and down) Folks, we know this is a challenging time. Please reach out, use with a buddy, carry Naloxone, download the Lifeguard App, check your drugs, start low and go slow, and take care of each other. Talk to your health team about prescription alternatives to toxic drug supply.... Visit the Powell River Overdose Prevention Site from 4-8PM for supervised use and supports (located at 4752 Joyce Ave). You are not alone. We care about you. *Severe overdoses related to smoking down and stimulants due to the rapid onset of effects *Record number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses through smoking and injecting drugs in May and June 2020 *Recent increases of carfentanyl and benzodiazepines, including etizolam in illicit drug supply. VCH Harm Reduction Services Program qathet RD / Powell River

We care about you! Stop by the Overdose Prevention Site for supervised use, overdose response, harm reduction supplies, drug checking (fentanyl and benzos), smiles, snacks, and non-judgmental peer support. You matter - please don't use alone. 7 days a week / 4-8PM / located in the Community Resource Centre at 4752 Joyce Ave. #stopoverdose

JOB POSTING + FAREWELL Just wanted to give a big shout out of gratitude to everyone who has walked alongside me in this harm reduction and wellness journey... to all the peers, colleagues, and community members who have shared, cared, learned, collaborated, taught, and created all kinds of amazing projects, programs, services, and supports... i am eternally grateful for your presence in my life and how each of you has offered your gifts, expertise, experience, and perspectiv...es... everything i have learned with you helps me to be a better person and professional...my last day with VCH Harm Reduction Services Program qathet RD / Powell River is September 3 (for now) I am taking a two-year leave to complete a Masters in Social Work! i will still be in community this year and look forward to staying connected through various projects and programs. be well and take care, Jessica Lea Are you interested in this position? Please apply! https://internal-vch.icims.com//harm-reduction-support/job

AUGUST 2020 E-Newsletter! HARM REDUCTION UPDATE A note from Jessica I would like to take this time to send out great gratitude and honour the learning, collaboration, and relationships that have been built over the past three years, in my role as Harm Reduction Support Worker. I am taking an education leave for two years to pursue my Masters in Social Work through UNBC, with the first year and practicum in Powell River. My last day of work will be September 3rd, 2020. ...Continue reading

Free and confidential Mobile Delivery available from Lund to Saltery Bay. New supplies, Naloxone, snacks, toiletries, referrals, resources, pick up used containers to dispose of properly, and more. Text or call us to set up a time to meet - Jessica @604-223-7761 or Jaynie at 604-223-8184 (same day service may not be available). *Please note our on-site location at the Hospital is currently closed due to COVID-19. You can still drop off full containers to our outdoor sharps box located in the parking lot at the back of the Hospital.