What is the Oceanside Community Action Team?
OCAT is funded by the BC Community Action Initiative
Community Action Teams have been funded across the province to help address the public health emergency of Toxic Drug deaths and related harms
The Oceanside CAT serves the areas of Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose, Qualicum First Nation, Nanoose First Nation, Bowser, Errington, Whisky Creek, Mid-Island Metis Nation, and the rural areas of the Regional District of Nanaimo.
About 109 people and agencies have asked to be included as partners, and 20 to 25 meet each month, usually by Zoom.
What does the Oceanside Community Action Team do?
Strives to reduce deaths and harms due to the Toxic Drug Poisoning Crisis in our communities
Builds on the success of our Peer Support Worker Team in providing life-saving Naloxone and Outreach support, and linking to Recovery Resources
Works closely with Island Health as they strive to bring new services on stream
Strengthens relationships with Qualicum First Nation, Nanoose First Nation, the Mid-Island Metis Nation, and FNHA
How serious is the Toxic Drug Emergency?
In Canada, deaths from toxic drugs increased 88% during the Covid 19 pandemic
This year, the leading cause of death for BC citizens 18 to 59 is unregulated toxic drug poisonings.
In Oceanside, since January 1 2020, there have been 53 deaths, including 4 deaths this year between January and April, due to the unregulated toxic drug supply.
How addictive are Drugs?
Tobacco – 33% of users become addicted
Alcohol – 25% of users become addicted
Cocaine, Heroin – 25% of users become addicted
Fentanyl – full information not available yet, believed to be worse – it is up to 100 times stronger than other opioids like morphine, heroin, or oxycodone.
Studies suggest that up to 33% of people who take opioids for chronic pain misuse them, and more than 10 % become addicted over time.
From Medscape, where physicians get information
For more information on the Oceanside CAT, email Sherry Thompson or phone (250) 228-0564