BC Interior residents can now opt in to receive text alerts about toxic drugs

A new health alert system has been launched across Interior Health in response to the ongoing toxic drug emergency.

The Toxic Drug Alerts system uses text messages to send alerts about toxic drugs circulating in the region.

IH is the first health authority to launch this new system, although a similar program called RADAR has been successfully used in Vancouver Coastal Health since 2015.

“We are thrilled to have this new tool available in the Interior to support people and to get information out immediately to those who need it most,” said Susan Brown, IH president and CEO.

“As the number of lives lost continues to grow, we are focused on removing barriers to supports, and implementing new strategies to prevent drug poisonings and deaths and mitigate harm from the toxic drug supply.”

IH’s harm reduction manager, Jessica Bridgeman said that timely and targeted information regarding the current drug supply is “vital” as we see the toxicity of illicit drugs increase at an alarming rate.

Alerts will help people make better informed decisions and ultimately help reduce harms, including overdose and death, from poisoned drugs,” she explained.

People who use drugs, those who support them and any other community members are encouraged to opt-in for toxic drug alerts by texting the keyword JOIN to 253787.

They’ll receive toxic drug and drug poisoning alerts, as well as any other relevant major public health alerts in the future.

In addition, subscribers can also anonymously submit information relating to toxic drugs or drug poisonings by text using the keyword OD.

Manager of harm reduction at the BC Centre for Disease Control, Sara Young noted that the priority is getting people access to a safe supply, but this is a vital measure until we arrive at that point.

“Toxic drug alerts will be really helpful in letting us know what is going around in our communities, and can help people make harm reduction decisions for themselves,” she said.

This alert system is expected to expand to additional health authorities this summer.