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Finding Help

Thank you for coming to this page, reaching out for support or offering support is a difficult thing to do. This page has multiple resources to help. To download the Tailgate Toolkit Project Resource Package (which includes a flow chart of steps to take to get/provide support) click below for your region:

South Island Resource Package
Mid Island Resource Package
North Island Resource Package

Note: Cowichan Valley resources are included in the Mid-Island Package

Table of Contents

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 7-8pm and is facilitated by 2 Umbrella Society staff who have lived experience of working in the construction industry and substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84523089259?pwd=Q2l0c1FZZVlPay9kOGZLWm9sYkhzZz09

Meeting ID: 845 2308 9259
Passcode: 379893

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. To start the intake process, or even just to find out more information call the intake number for your region:

South Island

  • Victoria: 250-519-3485
  • Westshore/Langford: 250-370-5799
  • Westcoast: 250-726-1282
  • Southern Gulf Islands: 250-538-4711

Mid Island

  • Cowichan Valley: 250-709-3040
  • Nanaimo: 250-739-5710
  • Oceanside: 250-951-9550
  • Comox Valley: 250-331-8524

North Island

  • Comox Valley: 250-331-8524
  • Campbell River: 250-850-2620
  • Port Alberni: 250-731-1311
  • Port Hardy: 250-902-6051
  • Port MacNeil: 250-956-4461

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 operates in Victoria out of their store front at 1802 Cook Street or in partnership with Lantern Services at 820 Cormorant Street. Results are given on the spot within 15-20 minutes.

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

Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain

Are you taking opioids (painkillers) for your pain?

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