Toxic Drug Crisis

Learn about the toxic drug crisis and how to prevent and treat overdoses. Learn how to access substance use services & resources and resources to stay safe.  

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5 Minute Read
Community & Culture

In 2021, 263 paper medical charts were shipped to East Kootenay Regional Hospital where they were placed in the basement. The charts belonged to…

5 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

If there’s one lesson to take away from the toxic drug crisis – now sometimes referred to as the unregulated drug poisoning emergency – it’s that…

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Gord Portman walks down the gravel path in Penticton’s Marina Way Beach Park towards the waterfront. It’s a hot, muggy day, and people dot the…

10 Minute Read
Community & Culture

On April 14, 2016, the increasing number of deaths related to toxic drugs prompted the Province to declare a public health emergency. Six years…

4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

It has been two years since Interior Health registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) began prescribing opioid agonist…

4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

For caregivers supporting loved ones affected by substance use, the journey can feel like a lonely one. Whether a mom, dad, grandparent, spouse,…

2 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Naloxone is a widely available medication that can reverse an opioid overdose temporarily. It has been a vital tool in combatting the toxic drug…

5 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Sewing the symbolic ribbon skirts for Indigenous volunteers at this year's International Overdose Awareness Day events in Kelowna Kori Smith…

4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Jodi Cunningham, pharmacist and owner of Medicine Shoppe Vernon It takes a team to combat one public health emergency – let alone two.…

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture

More than 9,000 British Columbians have died due to the toxic drug poisoning since 2016 – with 2021 being the worst year on record at 2,224 deaths…

3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital emergency department nurses: Jane Carlton, Tamara Roscoe, Teresa Myers, and Emily Larochelle Opioid use…

3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

On April 14, 2016, the increasing number of opioid overdoses prompted the Province to declare a public health emergency. Six years later, close to…

2 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Like many people who use drugs, Faith turned to illicit opioids to take away pain and hurt. When she realized she wanted to stop using, Opioid…

3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Members of the Kamloops Integrated Treatment Team are providing a new model of flexible, discreet and person-centred substance use treatment. Left…

2 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Integrated Treatment Teams offer non-judgmental, discreet and flexible substance use treatment and support in your community. Treatment can…

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