Vancouver Coastal Health’s Overdose Outreach Team is expanding to both Richmond and the North Shore in an effort to connect more people to support systems.
Currently, the outreach team is made of four outreach workers and three social workers. Two additional outreach workers will help with the program’s expansion.
“Outreach is reaching out and connecting people to care,” said Chris Dickinson, one of the team’s outreach workers, in a press release. “We are here to let people know they are supported, and in the event they do want help with substance use, or they have questions about resources, we are here for them.”
The announcement of the program’s expansion came on Aug. 31, International Overdose Awareness Day.
“Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day, and we honour and remember those we have lost to this terrible crisis,” said Judy Darcy, mental health and addictions minister in a statement. “Last year, we lost 1,450 people here in B.C., and by the end of this day three or four more British Columbians will die from a drug overdose as a result of a poisoned and unpredictable illegal drug supply.”
Since May 2017, VCH’s outreach team has connected with 932 people. Some were referred from emergency departments after being treated for an overdose, but anyone is able to contact the service.
"Given that the drug supply is so contaminated with fentanyl the team is hyper aware that every person who overdoses could one day be at risk of a fatal overdose. Knowing this drives them to connect with all new referrals as quickly as possible – often on the same day that we receive a referral,” says Misty Bath, manager of the Overdose Outreach Team. “It’s as simple as calling us.”
The service is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Messages can be left anytime at 604-360-2874.
