Opioids account for 69% of drug overdose deaths. The estimated number of people using opioids, globally, has doubled from 26–36 million people in 2010, to 61.3 million in 2020.
In 2022, fentanyl was responsible for 81% of opioid-overdose deaths in Canada.
In 2023, 368 people in BC, under the age of 29, died due to the toxic drug supply.
Overdose Prevention
There are evidence-based strategies and initiatives in place around the world to reduce overdose. Some examples of these are:
- Naloxone (Narcan®) distribution programs
- Safe consumption/injection sites
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Needle and syringe programs
- Drug testing services which analyze drugs to uncover any potentially dangerous substances
It is important for communities to understand the risks of overdose and what prevention services are available in their region. It is also important for community members to advocate for prevention and push for legislation that will prevent future overdoses.
The Sanctuary Program at CHV
The Sanctuary program is a low-barrier program that launched at CHV this summer.
Low barrier basically means that we remove any obstacles that stops a young person from accessing our programs and services.
The Sanctuary program is designed to help young people ages 16–24 who present with significant substance use and mental health concerns. Sanctuary will serve as an entry-level program to not only build the trusting, healthy relationships of care that are so critical for sustainable and successful recovery, but also to connect young people with services and support potential transitions towards more structured programs along CHV’s continuum of care.
There are 28 beds in the Sanctuary program. Youth can self-refer to enter this program, or they can be referred by healthcare professional. Five of the 28 beds are reserved for healthcare referrals.
Sanctuary is our lowest-barrier program available. While every youth participant will have access to clinical supports on a drop-in basis, no program framework, expectations, or requirements are implemented, imposed, or made, unless led by the individual youth.
Youth who participate in the Sanctuary program will receive our attachment-based wraparound services and will have access to staff and facilities that include: social workers, counsellors, computers, gymnasium, fitness room, and hygiene and harm-reduction supplies.
Since its opening in June, the Sanctuary program has:
- Served a total of 31 youth
- Had youth stay an average length of 25 days. Fifty percent of the youth who stayed in this program have stayed for 12 days or more, with three youth having stayed for over 100 days
- Seen youth connect with detox through their participation in Sanctuary
The Sanctuary program is a support for youth who wish to work on their addictions and mental health, but overdose prevention takes a community. From the federal government to individual community members, we must all work together to reduce, and ideally eliminate, overdoses.