Submitted by Susan Brown, President & CEO, Interior Health I was recently looking at the website of Moms Stop the Harm, a local advocacy group that is heavily involved in organizing Overdose Awareness Day events. I was reflecting on the last few years; the increasing drug toxicity deaths we’re seeing, the tremendous challenges first responders and care providers face, and the loss communities continue to experience. The photo tribute page on their website is heart-breaking. Row upon row of faces, most young men around the same age as my own son. Each person loved and dearly missed, gone too soon due to drug poisoning. International Overdose Awareness Day is held each year on August 31 to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with substance use and drug-related death. It is an important day to recognize the loss and grief felt by so many people around the world and here at home. This opportunity to build awareness is more important than ever. According to the latest report from the BC Coroner’s Service within Interior Health during the first five months of 2022 alone there were 149 drug toxicity deaths. The rising numbers correspond to an increasingly poisonous street drug supply. The presence of fentanyl is now commonplace and made even more dangerous with the addition of tranquilizers and other complicating substances. It is hard to be hopeful in these circumstances, but I have also seen tremendous system improvements. We often talk about “building the plane as we fly it” and this emergency has us doing just that, balancing crisis response with prevention and innovation as we strive to provide enhanced substance use services to all people in Interior Health. This is not the same crisis we faced when the Provincial Health Officer proclaimed the overdose public health emergency in 2016. The toxic drug crisis is not static - it keeps changing. We must keep pace. In the last two years in particular we have seen record investments in substance use services, including both bed-based inpatient and community-based outpatient options. Prescribed safe supply has been introduced in Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, and Penticton, and we’re working closely with partners to expand to other communities as quickly as possible. Drug testing is available at 72 locations across our region, and continues to grow. Life-saving overdose prevention and supervised consumption services continue to play an important role in not only keeping people alive, but connecting them to support and treatment. Within Interior Health our substance use and harm reduction teams are increasingly joined by “peers” – people with lived and living experience who provide guidance in program planning and implementation. I thank them for sharing their wisdom. This August 31 you can show your support by wearing a purple wristband, attending an event, lighting a candle, or sharing information on social media. Most of all we need to rethink substance use, which is a heavily stigmatized health condition, and focus on working together towards a solution. To learn more about the overdose public health emergency, including prevention tips, visit our Toxic Drug Crisis webpage. Learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day and view a list of community events.

Barriere and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Barriere and District Health Centre due to limited nursing availability. Starting Monday, Aug. 29 at 8:30 a.m., to Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m., emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. During this time, all other services will continue as normal at the Barriere Health Centre. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in Barriere is normally open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Clearwater and area residents are advised of ongoing temporary changes to overnight emergency department (ED) hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital due to limited nursing availability. Emergency services will not be available from 6 p.m. on Aug. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 until 7 a.m. the following mornings. The emergency department will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all these dates. When service is not available, patients can access care at: Royal Inland Hospital – 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops 100 Mile House District General Hospital – 555 Cedar Avenue South, 100 Mile House People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC (8-1-1), or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  Other inpatient services at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital are not impacted by the change to the ED and continue as normal. The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.   View more toxic drug, environmental, and COVID-19 alerts.

Merritt and area residents are advised of a temporary change to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital due to unexpected limited physician availability. Starting 8 a.m. Sunday, August 21 to 8 a.m. Monday, August 22, emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or Kelowna General Hospital. During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in Merritt is normally open 24/7.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department (ED) hours at South Okanagan General Hospital, due to limited physician availability. Starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 until 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21 emergency services will be unavailable, and patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital – 550 Carmi Ave, Penticton. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility. Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC (8-1-1), or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.

Clearwater and area residents are advised of ongoing temporary changes to overnight emergency department (ED) hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital due to limited nursing availability. Emergency services will not be available starting at 6 p.m. on Aug. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 until 7 a.m. the following mornings. The emergency department will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all these dates. When service is not available, patients can access care at: Royal Inland Hospital – 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops 100 Mile House District General Hospital – 555 Cedar Avenue South, 100 Mile House People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC (8-1-1), or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  Other inpatient services at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital are not impacted by the change to the ED and continue as normal The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7.

Oliver and area residents are advised the South Okanagan General Hospital emergency department will go on diversion tonight at 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. Friday. The emergency department is on diversion from: 6 p.m. Thursday, August 18 to 8 a.m. Friday, August 19 During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at South Okanagan General Hospital. Interior Health regrets this temporary change to normal operations and reminds residents to take note of the following if they require care while the emergency department is closed: In the event of an emergency, call 911. Visit the emergency department at: Penticton Regional Hospital – 550 Carmi Ave, Penticton Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (24-hour service) if you are unsure of your need to seek emergency care The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings starting tomorrow for various regions in Interior Health, including the South and Central Okanagan, North and South Thompson and Fraser Canyon. Temperatures up to 40 degrees are forecast in many of these areas. Interior Health is reminding people that elevated temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illness. The BC Centre of Disease Control provides a broad range of heat-related guidance on its website, including information on the different types of heat alerts, how to prepare for hot temperatures, symptoms of heat-related illnesses, those most at risk during hot weather and ways to stay cool. Preparing for and responding to hot weather: If you have air conditioning at home, make sure it is in good working order and turn it on. If you do not have air conditioning at home: Find somewhere you can cool off on hot days. Consider places in your community to spend time indoors such as libraries, community centres, movie theatres or malls. Also, as temperatures may be hotter inside than outside, consider outdoor spaces with lots of shade and running water. Shut windows and close curtains and blinds during the heat of the day to block the sun and prevent hotter outdoor air from coming inside. Open doors and windows when it is cooler outside to move that air indoors. Ensure that you have a working fan, but do not rely on fans as your primary means of cooling. Fans can be used to draw cooler late-evening, overnight and early-morning air indoors. Keep track of temperatures in your home using a thermostat or thermometer. Sustained indoor temperatures over 31 C can be dangerous for people who are susceptible to heat. If your home gets very hot, consider staying with a friend or relative who has air conditioning if possible. Identify people who may be at high risk for heat-related illness. If possible, help them prepare for heat and plan to check in on them.  Who is most at risk? It is important to monitor yourself, family members, neighbours and friends during hot weather. Consider developing a check-in system for those who are at high risk of heat-related illness. The most susceptible individuals include: Older adults, especially those over 60 People who live alone People with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression or anxiety People with substance use disorders People with limited mobility and other disabilities People who are marginally housed People who work in hot environments People who are pregnant Infants and young children  Your health: Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty. Spray your body with water, wear a damp shirt, take a cool shower or bath or sit with part of your body in water to cool down. Take it easy, especially during the hottest hours of the day. Stay in the shade and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. Take immediate action to cool down if you are overheating. Signs of overheating include feeling unwell, headache and dizziness. Overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, severe headache, muscle cramps, extreme thirst and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek a cooler environment, drink plenty of water, rest and use water to cool your body. Signs of heat stroke include loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting and very dark urine or no urine. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911. However, it is important to use 911 responsibly to avoid overwhelming the system. When to call 911: In cases of heat stroke: loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting or very dark urine or no urine. In general: when there is chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe burns, choking, convulsions that are not stopping, a drowning, a severe allergic reaction, a head injury, signs of a stroke or a major trauma. If you have a less urgent health issue: You can call HealthLinkBC at 811 and speak with a nurse or go to an urgent care centre or clinic if you can do so safely. That way, our emergency medical dispatch staff and paramedics will be available for people who need their services the most. There are also online tools at healthlinkbc.ca, including a “Check Your Symptoms” tool.