A new tainted drugs advisory system rolled out by Island Health sends text messages to people who anonymously sign up. (The Canadian Press)

By Ian Holmes

toxic drug alerts

Island Health unveils text alert system for toxic drugs

Dec 15, 2022 | 4:27 PM

NANAIMO — Toxic drug advisories issued by Island Health are now available through a new system anyone can sign up for anonymously.

People can receive toxic drug bulletins from Island Health by texting JOIN to 253787.

Keva Glynn, Island Health’s executive lead for mental health and substance use, said the program is aimed to reducing barriers and adding another harm reduction offering.

Increases in overdoses, and data from primary healthcare providers will guide when advisories are issued, she said.

“When we see a rise in that locally or across the Island, that’s what would trigger a text alert going out.”

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Example of an Island Health issued toxic drugs warning. (Island Health)

Glynn said the alerts will specify which community is impacted and all subscribers will receive the same notification.

With toxic drug deaths rising by about 13 per cent in each of the last two years, Glynn said more action was needed to target “home alone” drug users aren’t overly receptive to existing harm reduction programs.

Glynn said, for example, people working in the trades and hospitality sectors don’t rely on resources to avoid becoming overdose victims compared to marginalized populations.

“I think this will be an effective strategy to reach those who haven’t been reached yet.”

Island Health issued tainted drug text alerts aren’t meant solely for drug users, Glynn said.

“It’s peers who are the primary responders when people are overdosing. Even if somebody isn’t a user they can support their friends, their family members, their community with this information.”

Island Health is the third health authority in the province to launch the text alert system, behind Interior and Fraser Health authorities, which introduced the initiative earlier this year.

As of Dec. 11 the Fraser and Interior health authorities had 1,530 people subscribed to the text alert system, according to the Provincial Health Services Authority.

Technology has been increasingly leaned upon amid the drug toxicity crisis in B.C., including the Lifeguard App introduced by BC Emergency Health Services in 2020.

Tainted drugs killed 1,827 British Columbians in the first 10 months of the year, which is trending to be a new record.

Fifty-nine people in Nanaimo have died due to toxic drugs this year as of the end of October, setting a new annual record by eclipsing the 56 lives lost in all of 2017.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes