People needing harm-reduction supplies can have them delivered to their door for free under a new program announced by Fraser Health.
Fentanyl-screening strip kits, injection and inhalation supplies, Naloxone kits, and safer sex supplies are all available through an online portal with delivery coordinated by MTS Logistics. Pamphlets and instructional videos explain how to use the products, Fraser Health said in a news release.
Having the supplies delivered is an alternative to picking the supplies up at overdose prevention sites, supervised consumption sites or public health units.
“The unregulated toxic drug supply crisis requires us to think outside the box — in this case, deliver the box of harm-reduction supplies — to individuals who don’t typically use in-person services,” said Erin Gibson, manager of clinical operations, toxic drug response and priority populations. “There are many reasons people don’t access in-person harm reduction and drug-checking services, including lack of transportation and stigma.”
She said Fraser Health continues to encourage people to have someone witness their drug use whenever possible to reduce the risk of overdose.
Mountainside Harm Reduction Society, a non-profit group, packages the supplies and MTS Logistics coordinates delivery.
The portal connects clients to Fraser Health resources including clinical and outreach teams and virtual-care options.
Fraser Health currently supports 12 overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites. There are dozens more locations in shelters and supportive housing where people can use substances in monitored settings.
Harm-reduction supplies and fentanyl strip tests are also available for free at all Fraser Health overdose prevention sites, supervised consumption sites, harm reduction sites, and public health units.
During last May and June, 181 and 185 people, respectively, died of street drug overdoses in those two months in B.C.
In the first six months of this year in B.C., 1,158 people have died from unregulated drug toxicity. That works out to about six people a day dying.
Fentanyl continues to be the leading cause of street drug deaths, detected in 82 percent of toxicological tests conducted so far in 2024.
Males account for 72 percent of the deaths although the rate of females dying is increasing.
Almost 15,000 people in B.C. have tied from toxic street drugs since 2016.
For people who use substances alone, digital harm reduction tools such as the Lifeguard App, Brave App, and the National Overdose Response Service support people to consume their substances more safely. The Lifeguard app is also available in Punjabi.
