Posted on: December 21, 2022
Island Health has launched a service that sends drug-poisoning overdose advisories by text message to subscribed community members. This allows individuals who use substances, as well as their friends and families who enrol, to receive timely information to help inform their harm reduction strategies.
The initiative was developed and implemented by the BC Centre for Disease Control Harm Reduction Services, in collaboration with the Office of Virtual Health and community partners. This texting service is currently available at Fraser Health and Interior Health. It launched at Island Health on December 15 and will continue to expand to other regions of the province.
Anyone can text JOIN to 253787 to receive Island Health's drug-poisoning overdose advisories by text message. These advisories share information about increases in toxic drug poisonings in the Island Health region and provide tips for safer drug use.
Harm reduction teams will send region-specific or provincial drug-poisoning overdose advisories to subscribers who will then receive these advisories by text. For example:
Island Health plays an integral role in addressing the current toxic drug crisis. Please share this information with your networks or with anyone who you think may benefit from it.
For more information on the texting service, please visit Island Health's news release and Toward the Heart.