Devon is a peer worker who provides overdose prevention and harm reduction supports to those living in shelters and supportive housing. As someone who had his own life saved at an overdose prevention site, he understands the value of these services and it’s important to him that others understand the facts.
Read his story
“Overdose prevention sites (OPS) and supervised consumption sites (SCS) are a place where anybody over 18 can go and use substances safely in a safe environment, where people feel comfortable and free to be themselves,” he says.
He says the people working at these sites are respectful and non-judgemental.
“They’re so professional and they know what they’re doing. I’m confident when I’m going in there that I’m safe. These people are not here to judge or shame. These people are here because they care.”
Watch the video
Learn about Devon's experiences with supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites.
Learn more about overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites
This story is part of a five-part series called In my experience, where people share first-hand experiences and information about accessing a variety of substance use services at Interior Health.
Read other In my experience stories
Supervised consumption services and overdose prevention sites provide a safe location for a person to use drugs and be monitored in case of overdose. If desired, trained professionals can provide additional services like safer injection education, drug-checking, nursing care and referrals to other substance use services.
Learn about Supervised Consumption/Overdose Prevention Sites
*In loving memory of Devon, we continue to share this resource in honour of his legacy as a courageous leader and educator.
After arriving in Canada in 2018, Marianne Danzalan never lost sight of her goal of becoming a licensed physiotherapist.
/stories/philippines-physiotherapist-achieves-dream-practising-bc
When April Wright isn’t caring for community members at the West Chilcotin Health Centre in Tatla Lake, she’s getting her hands dirty in her garden.
/stories/we-are-ih-unit-clerk-loves-being-part-her-remote-community
Learn how to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses like the flu (influenza), COVID-19 and RSV.
/stories/5-tips-fall-healthy-habits-season
Every Friday at Senpaq’cin School in Oliver, students from k-7 take part in Fire Fridays, a land-based program that connects syilx language, culture and food.
/stories/fire-fridays-senpaqcin-school
Olivia Duncan is long-term care coordinator who started her health care journey as a teenager. She fell in love with the energy of the hospital & nursing staff.
/stories/we-are-ih-care-coordinator-started-career-health-care-17
A partnership between School District 73, Thompson Rivers University and IH, HSA offers high school students an opportunity to explore careers in health care.
/stories/health-sciences-academy-welcomes-second-cohort-students
STAY CONNECTED
Receive news, alerts, public service announcements and articles right to your inbox.