The health authority on Vancouver Island has issued a drug poisoning and overdose advisory for Greater Victoria.
Island Health officials are worried about the illicit drug supply in the area, as some of it may be tainted and toxic.
Officials are encouraging those who use drugs to use them at a supervised consumption site and get their drugs tested.
Island Health offered other tips for safer drug use:
- carry Naloxone
- do not mix substances
- do not use alone
- stagger drug use with a friend
- start low, go slow
- know your tolerance
If someone is experiencing an overdose and a bystander or witness is nearby, Island Health says they should call 911 and stay with them, apply Naloxone if trained, and give one breath every five seconds if they stop breathing.
Island Health said the advisory was issued due to “an increase in emergency department presentations for suspected overdose, increase in 911 calls, and anecdotal observations from our teams and community partners.”
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