Table of Contents

 

Resource Packages (Printouts & Handouts)

 

Hammer Time

The life of a construction worker isn’t for everyone, and most people don’t get it. That’s why we have created a space to talk about substance use with others in our industry: Hammer Time.

Hammer Time is a social support group (there’s no religious component, it’s not a 12 step program, and you don’t have to be sober to participate) being delivered in a partnership between VICA and the Umbrella Society.

Hammer Time happens on Zoom every Thursday from 7-8 PM and is facilitated by 2 Umbrella Society staff who have lived experience of working in the construction industry and substance use.

Join us this Thursday: http://www.umbrellasociety.ca/hammer-time/


Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use


In order to access a variety of services (all outlined in the resource packages above) connecting with an intake provider at Island Health’s Mental Health and Substance Use department is the best place to start. 

As of 2023, Island Health has streamlined all regional Mental Health and Substance Use Services into one number:  1.888.885.8824

 

Support Lines

 

  • Vancouver Island Crisis Line
    • Call 24/7 : 1-888-494-3888
    • Text from 6-10pm: 250-800-3806
  • KUU-US Crisis Line 1-800-588-8717
  • BC Drug and Alcohol Line 1-800-663-1441
  • BC Mental Health and Addiction Info Line 1-800-661-2121 (9-4 M-F)
  • PainBC’s Pain Support Line 1-844-880-7246


Overdose Prevention Sites


Overdose Prevention Sites or Supervised Consumption Sites operate under exemptions from federal drug laws and allow clients to use illicit drugs without persecution. Overdose prevention sites are staffed by nurses, peers, and outreach staff who are ready to respond in the case of an overdose and can offer fentanyl screening of a client’s drug before use. They are also amazing resources for support and referral to other services. There has never been an overdose death at an overdose prevention site.


If going to an OPS isn’t an option or appealing, there are 3 virtual options:  

  • The Lifeguard App uses an alarm/snooze method to check in with you and will call emergency medical services if you become unresponsive.  https://lifeguarddh.com/  

  • The Brave App connects you with a peer who can call an emergency contact of your choice or emergency services if you become unresponsive.  https://www.brave.coop/app-1  

  • The National Overdose Response Service is a phone line that connects you with a peer volunteer who can wait on the line and call help for you if needed.  https://www.nors.ca/  


Overdose Prevention Sites on Vancouver Island:

  • Campbell River:
    • Vancouver Island Mental Health Society, #5 1330 Dogwood Street, injection and inhalation
  • Comox Valley:
    • 941C England Ave, injection only
  • Port Alberni:
    • Port Alberni Shelter Society, 3699 3rd Ave, injection and inhalation 
  • Nanaimo:
    • CMHA Mid-Island, 437 Wesley St, injection only
  • Duncan:
    • Lookout Housing and Health Society, 221 Trunk Road (entrance is through side door off of Ypres Street). Witnessed consumption including inhalation
  • Greater Victoria:
    • Victoria Cool Aid Society Rock Bay Landing, 535 Ellice St. Witnessed consumption including inhalation.
    •  The Harbour, 941 Pandora Ave


Drug Checking Services


Fentanyl screening is available at all overdose prevention sites. The

Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project (https://substance.uvic.ca) provides drug checking services at several locations across the island, and via a mail-in service. All services are free and confidential, and results for in-person checks are available in 15-20 minutes. Get your drugs checked at Substance, the project’s storefront location at 1802 Cook Street in Victoria, between 12 – 7pm Monday – Saturday. Or, send your samples to Substance via mail, and check your results online or by phone.

Check out https://substance.uvic.ca/#services for info on drug checking in Port Alberni, Comox Valley, Campbell River, and Duncan, and for instructions on how to mail in a sample. The project uses multiple drug checking instruments to determine a sample’s main active ingredients, fillers or cutting agents, any unexpected drugs, the presence of fentanyl and benzodiazepines, and to provide estimated concentrations of sample components.

Mail in drug testing with Get Your Drugs Tested Vancouver. Contact gydt.info@gmail.com to request their mailing address and receive instructions on mailing in your sample(s)


Chronic Pain


Pain BC

 


Indigenous Specific Resources


Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca .


Unbroken Chain Indigenous Harm Reduction — Created in 2018 in response to the declaration of the public health crisis in British Columbia of the overdose epidemic, sponsored by First Nations Health Authority. Currently, our programming provides support to individuals impacted by the overdose crisis, including people with lived and living experience, family and friends, youth, and those who are at risk of homelessness and are experiencing homelessness.


Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.

Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).


Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.


First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day provides virtual health care and referral support for people who do not have a doctor or are unable to get an appointment. It is for all First Nations people living in BC and their family members, including family members who are not Indigenous. Doctors are also able to provide a referral for virtual substance use and psychiatry services. Doctors are available by video or phone from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day. Call 1-855-344-3800 to book an appointment. Learn more at fnha.ca/virtualdoctor.


First Nations Health Authority: https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/mental-wellness-and-substance-use


Support Groups


Online Resources

  • Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades: Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades is a film where four men with experience in the construction industry and trades, as well as their own experiences with substance use speak to their fellow tradespeople about how to stay safer in the overdose era. 
  • Moms Stop The Harm: Holding Hope Support Groups | Holding Hope Groups are peer-led support groups, offered at no cost, to families with loved ones living with addiction (substance use disorder) across Canada.
  • Moms Stop The Harm: Healing Hearts Grief Support Groups | Healing Hearts is a free bereavement support group specific to those grieving the loss of a loved one due to overdose or substance-use related harms.
  • BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services: Provides a range of specialized mental health and substance use services for adults across the province. 
  • HeadsUpGuys: An online resource that supports men in their fight against depression by providing tips, tools, information about professional services, and stories of success. 
  • HeretoHelp: Provides information related to mental health and substance use. The website includes personal stories, self-help resources, and information about getting help now. 
  • MindHealthBC: Provides easy access to information and resources related to mental health and substance use conditions. 

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