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Overdose prevention

Overdose emergency

In April 2016, British Columbia declared a public health emergency in response to a significant increase in overdose deaths, escalating from 200 annually in 2010 to over 2,500 in 2023. Please refer to the Unregulated Drug Poisoning Emergency dashboard for further information.

This increase is driven by the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, stigma towards people who use substances and the unpredictability of the unregulated drug supply.

Overdose Prevention Sites

Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS) are welcoming locations where people can use substances under the supervision of trained staff. These staff members monitor for signs of possible drug poisoning and provide immediate intervention if necessary. Click here to find an OPS near you.

Wildfires/extreme weather and substance use

Additional Overdose Prevention Services available

News and data

British Columbia has decriminalized drug possession for personal use until January 31, 2026. Adults can now possess up to 2.5 grams of illicit substances without penalties. BC is also strengthening regulations to prohibit drug use in public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks.

More information

Recognize and respond to an overdose

Know the signs

Know the signs for overdose

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Know the Response: SAVE ME Steps

Know the Response: SAVE ME Steps

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Services:

Addiction treatment
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Drug checking

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) drug checking

CommunitySite address
Prince GeorgeTwo Doors Down
Address: 1126 3rd Ave
Hours: 4 days a week, 1 pm to 5 pm Wednesday through Saturday (closed Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays)
Additional details: We can be contacted through our Facebook page
TerraceTerrace Northwest Intensive Case Management Team (ICMT)
Address: Stepping Stones Building, 101-4450 Greig Ave
Hours: Four days a week, 8:30 am to 4 pm Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Friday

For more information on drug checking:

Fentanyl strip drug checking

CommunitySite address
Daajing Giids (formerly the Village of Queen Charlotte)Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Center
Address: 3209 Oceanview Dr
Phone: 250-559-4900
Fort Nelson

Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Society
Address: 5012 49th Ave
Phone: 250-774-2993

Riggs Safety
Address: 5420 50th Ave
Phone: 250-321-3267

Fort St. JohnFort St John Women’s Resource Center
Address: 10051 100 Ave
Phone: 250-787-1121
HazeltonHazelton Health Center
Address: 2510 HWY 62
Phone: 250-842-4640
HoustonHouston Health Center
Address: 3202 14 St
Phone: 250-845-2294
MassetNorthern Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre
Address: 2520 Harrison Ave
Phone: 250-626-4700
Prince GeorgePrince George Aids Prevention program
Address: 277 George St
Phone: 250-645-3810
QuesnelQuesnel CSUN peer organization
Address: #3 445 Anderson Dr
Phone: 250-991-0091
SmithersSmithers Positive Living North
Address: 3862 Broadway Ave
Phone: 250-877-0042

Specialized Mental Health and Substance Use Outreach team
3862 Broadway Ave
Phone: 250-643-7456
TerraceTerrace Health Unit
Address: 3412 Kalum St
Phone: 250-631-4200
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Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT)

Please refer to the following resources by community who can assist you:

Chetwynd:

Dawson Creek:

  • Dawson Creek Mental Health and Addictions
    Phone: 250-719-6525

Dease Lake:

Fort Nelson:

Fort St. James:

Fort St. John:

  • Fort St. John Specialized service
    Phone: 250-263-6005
    Fax: 250-785-0555

Houston:

Mackenzie:

  • Mackenzie and District Hospital and Health Centre
    Phone: 250-997-4342

Mcbride:

Prince George:

Prince Rupert:

Quesnel:

Smithers:

Terrace:

Valemount:

Vanderhoof:

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Overdose Prevention Services (OPS)

Dawson Creek

  • Dawson Creek (temporary) OPS
    Address: 1001 110 Ave, Dawson Creek, BC
    Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 10 pm

Fort St. John

  • Fort St. John OPS
    Address: 10067 100th Ave, Fort St. John, BC
    Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm

Prince George

  • Prince George Needle Exchange
    Address: 277 George St, Prince George, BC, V2L 1R1
    Phone: 250-645-3810
    Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 11:30 am, and 1:15 pm to 6 pm (OPS until 6:30 pm)
    Nursing services by appointment: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 11:30 am, with open clinic hours from 1:15 pm to 6 pm
     
  • Mobile harm reduction supplies (The wellness or outreach truck) 
    Monday to Saturday, 7 pm to 11 pm
     
  • Two Doors Down
    Address: 1126 3rd Ave, Prince George, BC
    OPS/Drop-in, Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm

Quesnel

  • CSUN
    Address: 3-445 Anderson Dr, Quesnel, BC
    Friday to Wednesday, 4 pm to 10 pm
     
  • Quesnel Specialized services
    Address: 395 Elliott St, Quesnel, BC
    Monday to Friday, 11 am to 6:45 pm (excluding holidays)

Terrace

  • Terrace Intensive Case Management team
    Address: 101-4450 Greig Ave, Terrace, BC (Stepping Stones building)
    Phone: 250-631-4647
    Monday to Friday, 12 pm to 4 pm (excluding holidays)
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Supports for families and loved ones
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Take home
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Youth services
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Safer substance use

Follow these tips to reduce your risk of overdose:

  • Don't use alone
  • Start with a small amount
  • Mixing substances, including alcohol, increases risk of overdose
  • Use where help is easily available (e.g. around other people)
  • Use less. If you took a break, were in detox/treatment or jail, or are new to use, your tolerance is lower
  • If you have ever experienced an overdose, this may increase your risk to overdose again
  • Make a plan/know how to respond in case of an overdose
  • Get the Lifeguard app (BC Govt)

Information for health professionals

Health professionals and service providers have a vital role in overdose prevention and response. This area contains links to trusted resources and information to help those working to save lives and reduce harms.

Stigma reduction

Information from other organizations

Peer support resources

The involvement of people with lived or living experience of drug use (peers) is a critical component of effective overdose prevention work. A network has been established to support connection between peers in the North, and to enable engagement with health care service providers. For more information, please contact Peer.Network@northernhealth.ca

Community corner