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Health Professionals

Health professionals and service providers have an important role to play in harm reduction. This area contains resources and other information to help those on the front line and beyond.

Alerts

  • Island Health - Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Southern Gulf IslandsDecember 06, 2024 • Posted by Island Health

    ***Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Southern Gulf Islands - Dec 6, 2024***

    Drug poisionings are increasing in the Southern Gulf Islands. Friends, family and community members using unregulated substances face increased risk.

    For more information on harm reduction supports visit Overdose Prevention Services.

    Click here for printable version of the poster. 

  • Northern Health - Drug Alert - Prince George December 06, 2024 • Posted by Northern Health

    ***Drug Alert - PRINCE GEORGE - Dec 6, 2024***

    Northern Health has issued a Toxic Drug Alert for Prince George. A red chunk sold as “down” tested positive for carfentanil and high levels of bromazolam and has been linked to overdoses.

    More information: 

    https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/overdose-prevention

    https://stories.northernhealth.ca/news/toxic-drug-alert-prince-george-16

    For your safety:

    • Get overdose prevention, recognition, and response training; carry naloxone.
    • Try not to use alone. Make a plan and tell a trusted person who can call for help if needed.
    • If you plan to use alone, use the Lifeguard or BeSafe app available free on the app store or on Toward the Heart website or call NORS (National Overdose Response Service) at 1-888-688-6677.
    • Know your tolerance. If you are sick or had a time of abstinence or reduced use, use much less.
    • When possible, avoid mixing drugs or mixing drugs with alcohol.
    • Test a small amount first, start low and go slow.
    • Use in an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS), see below for hours.
    • Get your drugs checked at Two Doors Down, see below for hours.
    • Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away if someone overdoses.

    Local supports and Overdose Prevention Sites

    • Prince George Harm Reduction Clinic (needle exchange)
      Address: 277 George St, Prince George, BC V2L 1R1
      Phone: 250-645-3810
      Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 11:30 am, and 1:15 pm to 6:30 pm
      OPS by request/door service: Sunday, 9 am to 11:20 am, and 1 pm to 6:30 pm
      Nursing services by appointment: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 11:30 am, with open clinic hours 1:15 pm to 6:15 pm
    • Mobile harm reduction supplies (The wellness or outreach truck)
      Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7 pm to 11:30 pm
    • Two Doors Down
      Address: 1126 3rd Ave, Prince George, BC
      OPS/Drop-in: Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
      Drug Checking: Wednesday to Saturday, 1 pm to 5 pm

    Alert expires: December 20, 2024

     

  • Interior Health - Drug Alert - Williams LakeDecember 03, 2024 • Posted by Interior Health

    ***Drug Alert - Williams Lake - December 3, 2024***

    Interior Heath is issuing a DRUG ALERT for Williams Lake

    White powder sold as fentanyl contains nitazenes (synthetic opioid) and benzodiazepines. Does not contain Fentanyl. Fentanyl test strips do not detect nitazenes. 

    Please ensure your clients are aware of safer drug use tips that can help prevent overdose as well as where they can access naloxone, drug checking and other overdose prevention services in your community.

    For more information please see the attached poster - we ask that you display in high visibility locations and remove it on Dec 10, 2024. 

  • Interior Health - Drug Alert - Williams Lake 2 December 03, 2024 • Posted by Interior Health

    ***Drug Alert - Williams Lake - December 3, 2024***

    Interior Heath is issuing a second DRUG ALERT for Williams Lake.

    Green-yellow crystals sold as fentanyl/down contains fluorofentanyl, fentanyl and benzodiazepines and associated with multiple overdoses.

    Please ensure your clients are aware of safer drug use tips that can help prevent overdose as well as where they can access naloxone, drug checking and other overdose prevention services in your community.

    For more information please see the attached poster - we ask that you display in high visibility locations and remove it on Dec 10, 2024. 

  • Northern Health - Drug Alert - Prince George November 27, 2024 • Posted by Northern Health

    ***Drug Alert - PRINCE GEORGE - Nov 27, 2024***

    Northern Health has issued a Drug Advisory for Prince George. A pressed, white, 8mg tablet sold as Dilaudid/Dilly tested positive for fentanyl. The pill looks very similar to a prescription Dilaudid or Hydromorphone. Please take care.

    More information: 

    https://stories.northernhealth.ca/news/drug-advisory-prince-george

    https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/overdose-prevention

    For your safety

    • Get overdose prevention, recognition, and response training; carry naloxone.
    • Try not to use alone. Make a plan and tell a buddy who can call for help if needed.
    • If you plan to use alone, use the Lifeguard or BeSafe app available free on the app store or on Toward the Heart website or call NORS (National Overdose Response Service) at 1-888-688-6677.
    • Know your tolerance. If you are sick or had a time of abstinence or reduced use, use much less.
    • When possible, avoid mixing drugs or mixing drugs with alcohol.
    • Test a small amount first, start low and go slow.
    • Use in an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS), see below for hours.
    • Get your drugs checked at Two Doors Down, see below for hours.
    • Take into account potential decreased tolerance and isolation due to cold weather.
    • Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away if someone overdoses

    Local supports and Overdose Prevention Sites

    • Prince George Harm Reduction Clinic (needle exchange)
      Address: 277 George St, Prince George, BC V2L 1R1
      Phone: 250-645-3810
      Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 11:30 am, and 1:15 pm to 6:30 pm
      OPS by request/door service: Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm
      OPS/Drop-in: Monday to Saturday, 1 pm to 6 pm
      Nursing services by appointment: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 11:30 am, with open clinic hours 1:15 pm to 6:15 pm
    • Mobile harm reduction supplies (The wellness or outreach truck)
      Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7 pm to 11:30 pm
    • Two Doors Down
      Address: 1126 3rd Ave, Prince George, BC
      OPS/Drop-in: Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
      Drug Checking: Wednesday to Saturday, 1 pm to 5 pm

    Advisory expires: December 11, 2024

Timelines

Information Sheets

  • Naloxone
      Naloxone FAQ

      This document addresses frequently asked questions related to the drug Naloxone, which is provided through the BCCDC's Take Home Naloxone program. 

      Naloxone Pre-Loading Concerns

      This document addresses concerns with pre-loading naloxone into syringes for administration.

      Naloxone and Temperature - PDF

      This information provides information about naloxone exposure to heat and cold as well as storage temperature recommendations.

      Product Monograph - Teligent

      This document contains information about the naloxone manufactured by Teligent. This product is included in the BC Take Home Naloxone and Facility Overdose Response Box programs. This product does not contain a preservative.   

      Product Monograph - Sandoz

      This document contains information about the naloxone manufactured by Sandoz. This product is the secondary (back-up) product periodically included in the BC Take Home Naloxone and Facility Overdose Response Box programs. This product contains preservative. All sites will be notified if/when this product is used.

      Teligent Product Info Sheet - Non Prescription Naloxone

      This document contains information about the non-prescription naloxone manufactured by Teligent. This product is included in the BC Take Home Naloxone and Facility Overdose Response Box programs. This product is the same formulation as the Teligent prescription product, labelling differs to identify regulatory differences. This product does not contain a preservative. 

  • Benzos/etizolam with opioids
  • Syringes
      Single Use Syringes - PDF

      This document addresses common concerns expressed in regards to the use of single-use syringes in the community.

      Distribution Vs Exchange - PDF

      This document summarizes why the BC Harm Reduction program follows a policy of needle distribution rather than one-for-one needle exchange.

      Additional Resources

      For further information regarding best practices related to needle distribution, safe needle disposal and community needle stick injuries, please refer to the Best Practice Recommendations and Guideline resources posted below.  

  • Why Give Breaths?
      Why Give Breaths? - PDF

      Opioid overdose is one of a number of special situations where the American Heart Association recommends a different approach than only chest compressions. This information sheet provides information on the importance of giving breaths when responding to an opiod overdose.

Best Practice, Policies and Procedures

Reports and Research

Updates for Health Professionals