Vancouver Island and Oceanside Drug Deaths Summary, 2025
This is the updated data for Vancouver Island and Oceanside on the impact of the toxic drug poisoning crisis.
OCAT
It’s another winter season without a permanent shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Oceanside, as advocates continue to push for more services.
‘It’s atrocious out here:’ advocates continue pushing for permanent Oceanside winter shelter By Jordan Davidson – Nanaimo News Now – read the source article here Jan 9, 2026 Another winter without a full-time shelter for the unhoused in Oceanside is well underway. Oceanside Homelessness Task Force chair Shayla Day and other […]
International Toxic Drug Poisoning Awareness Day, August 31st, 2025
Join us Sunday August 31st at 4 pm for International Toxic Drug Poisoning Awareness Day. We’ll be at the Picnic Shelter in Parksville’s Community Park for speeches and refreshments, then at 7 pm for a Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance, hosted by Moms Stop The Harm members.
International Overdose Awareness Day August 31
The OCAT will be commemorating International Overdose Awareness Day again this year at the Parksville Community Park on August 31. Meanwhile, take a look at the official website for the international event.
Bridging The Gaps II, our April 14th event wrap-up
The April 14 event for the 9th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Toxic Drug Crisis was positive and encouraging with about 60 people in attendance. We had Dr Ray Baker, Dr Tribesty Nguyen our resident MHO, the film Toxic and Robert Colbourne the director/producer to introduce it, a panel, and group discussions. Here is […]
Bridging The Gaps II – Our Next Steps In The Toxic Drug Crisis
April 14th is the 9th anniversary of the Public Health Emergency declaration due to the Toxic Drug Crisis. The Oceanside Community Action Team will be hosting “Bridging the Gap 2”, a day of speakers, a panel, community discussion groups, and a screening of the documentary “Toxic”. This event will be April […]
The OCAT is pleased to announce the recipients of the 4 x $1000, 2024 grants for community work.
Knox United Church For their community work including outreach efforts to service and support challenged folks in our community. By helping ‘at risk’ folks coming through their doors on a regular basis in the way of food cards and also as subsidies for counselling that they provide. Thank you all […]
Island Health Youth Harm Reduction 101
The Youth Harm Reduction team is pleased to announce the launch of Youth Harm Reduction 101. The course is now available for our external partners on the Interior Health website (and also as an iLearn for IH staff 4339). This course covers essential information on integrating harm reduction principles, approaches and services […]
OCAT Monthly Zoom Meeting Tuesday December 17th.
This month, December’s meeting, Erica Williamson. Island Health, Discovery Youth & Family Substance Use Services will talk about the services they offer. Read more about their organization and services here Join this month’s Zoom Meeting Agenda Oceanside Community Action Team (OCAT) Meeting Tuesday , 2024, December 17, 1 to 3 pm by […]
Letter: Overdose deaths are on us
Advocate Beverley Planes says the system has failed people who use drugs. BY MICK SWEETMAN The Discourse – Read the full source article here – Nanaimo Community Action Team coordinator Beverley Planes says the overdose death of a man in a washroom at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s emergency room happened because […]