Ni tsun hwule'lum'ut ch'   I take notice of you (I care)
Opioid Response

Important Information About Drug Use & Opioids

We ask all members to please have Narcan (naloxone) in your household, especially if you live with others or have kids. In many overdose deaths, the family and friends of people who died did not know they were using drugs.

Please discuss the important information below with your kids, family and friends.

  1. Please don't use drugs alone. Most overdose deaths happen when people use alone, and no one can call help. Use with a buddy or at the OPS.
  2. Drug supply is poisonous & deadly. Very high risk of overdose and death. 
  3. Start with a small dose and go slow. Use at different times so someone is awake to call help.
  4. If there's an overdose, CALL 9-1-1 RIGHT AWAY, give breaths, give Narcan (naloxone). When you call 9-1-1 to report an overdose, you WON'T be charged for simple drug possession.
  5. Carry Narcan (naloxone) and know how to use it. Narcan nasal spray is free at London Drugs and pharmacies with your Status Card and BC Services Card. 
  6. Use at the Overdose Prevention Site (OPS).
    5878 York Road. Open everyday, 1:00pm to 7:00pm. A safe, confidential space with zero judgement. Testing drugs takes 2 minutes, no questions asked.
  7. Stay COVID-safe. Get vaccinated and don't share supplies.
  8. Use the Lifeguard App. If you use alone, the Lifeguard phone app can call 911 if you overdose. Free at the App Store or Google Play.
  9. Safe supply is available. Doctor at OPS (5878 York Rd, 250-597-7779) and Nurse Practitioner at PCN Clinic (71 Government St, 250-669-6542) can give safe supply of opioids. Or call your doctor, Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre (250-746-6184) or Healthlink BC (8-1-1).

  10. Help and support are available. If you’re struggling with addiction, you’re NOT alone. Please reach out. Call Kwun’atsustul Counselling: 250-746-6184. Read more on our where to get help page.

Download the How to Respond to an Overdose Poster, and please share on your social media:
How to respond to an opioid overdose-sml.png

Reports & Documents

The Overdose Prevention Site is now located at 5878 York Rd. Open 7 days a week, 1:00pm to 7:00pm.

About the Working Group

Cowichan Tribes' Opioid Crisis Response Working Group was mandated by Chief Seymour and Council. It is a cross-departmental, standing working group of Cowichan Tribes staff.

Our Vision: A strong, safe, healthy Nation, free from addiction and overdoses, where members get the services and supports they need, delivered by Cowichan Tribes and firmly grounded in Quw’utsun culture.

Our Purpose: Lead and coordinate Cowichan Tribes’ ongoing response to the crisis of addiction and overdoses.

Our work includes service delivrey, cross-departmental collaboration and coordination, communications, and advocacy. We are also undrtaking a Community Needs Assessment and developing a final report with recommendations for durable solutions to the crisis of additions and overdoses.

Our service delivery work includes: overdose prevention and harm reduction; direct outreach and support for at-risk members and youth; detox referrals; addiction treatment and recovery support; counselling, mental health, and cultural support; and, data collection and monitoring to inform situation reports & updates.

We meet regularly with Cowichan Tribes partners from Island Health, FNHA, and RCMP to collaborate and improve service delivery.

Working Group Members:

  • Erin Kapela (Co-Lead), Manager, Kwun’atsustul Counselling
  • Jen Charlie (Co-Lead), Membership Administrator
  • Toni Williams, Youth Centre Program Manager
  • Michelle Louie, Embracing Life/Prevention Office Manager
  • Stella Nilsson (RN), Harm Reduction Team Lead, Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre
  • Edward Joe, Harm Reduction Team, Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre

Contact Working Group Co-lead Jen Charlie at:
opioid task force@cowichantribes.com

Tl'i' to' mukw' mustimuhw   Each person is important