Uncategorized – Oceanside Community Action Team

CTV’s Penny Daflos Series on BC’s Toxic Drug Crisis, Harm Reduction, Recovery and Supportive Housing

August 31, 2025 oceansidecat 0

CTV reporter Penny Daflos has published a five-part series on BC’s toxic drug crisis. Please visit and watch each episode individually. How BC’s approach to toxic drugs and addiction is changing. https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/how-bcs-approach-to-toxic-drugs-and-addiction-is-changing-in-a-highly-politicized-atmosphere/ The toxic drug crisis has claimed thousands of lives across North America in recent years and policymakers have […]

Sarah Lovegrove speaks at the 2024 International Overdose Awareness Day. By Joe Pugh.

CHLY Radio Nanaimo presents

August 29, 2025 oceansidecat 0

Mid Island prepares to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. A radio conversation with our own Jamie Baird. Also included in the broadcast were Shannon Witham — Regional Harm Reduction Coordinator, Island Health. Dr. Mark Cachia — Interim Medical Health Officer, Nanaimo and Oceanside Region. Jamie Baird — Coordinator, Oceanside Community […]

Toxic drug deaths in April increase in B.C. and Island Health

June 25, 2025 oceansidecat 0

Toxic drug deaths in April increase in B.C. and Island Health – From Chek News – Read the source article here – by Laura Brougham The number of toxic drug deaths in B.C. and Island Health saw an increase in April, with the provincial deaths rising above 160 for the […]

An Invisible Crisis: Brain Injury From Non-Fatal Overdose

June 2, 2025 oceansidecat 0

by Matthew Bonn, June 2, 2025 From Filter Mag – Read the Source Article – Harms related to drug overdose are not limited to death. It’s important to remember that, when research has indicated there are approximately 15 non-fatal overdoses for every fatal overdose in the United States. For those […]

Girls and young women need better access to mental health care, StatsCan report suggests

May 23, 2025 oceansidecat 0

Break down barriers for young people looking for mental health help, psychologists say by Amina Zafar · CBC News – read the source article here – When Emma Bockner was eight, she was prescribed medication for ADHD. Then as a teen, she started abusing drugs and alcohol. “There were a lot […]

Without mental health and substance use care, Canada’s health care system is not universal

May 13, 2025 oceansidecat 0

From the Canadian Health Coalition, By DJ Larkin and Steven Staples, read the source article here – From the days of Tommy Douglas, Canadians have staked a hefty portion of our national identity on universal health care: the promise that no matter who you are or how much money you […]

Bridging The Gaps II, our April 14th event wrap-up

April 28, 2025 oceansidecat 0

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 […]

Portrait of a crisis

March 30, 2025 oceansidecat 0

Living and dying through B.C.’s overdose emergency – Photography and essay by Jackie Dives, Vancouver – Special to The Globe and Mail Published March 28, 2025 – View the original source – Underexposed is a year-long photojournalism project dedicated to shedding light on the unseen lives of Canadians in every […]

Substance use disorders and the Mental Health Act

March 24, 2025 oceansidecat 0

General guidance for physicians on the use of the Mental Health Actwhen treating adults with substance use disorder. Click here to download.

“This is trauma”: new B.C. involuntary care guidelines get cold reception

March 17, 2025 oceansidecat 0

New guidelines around involuntary care are receiving criticism from those who advocate for drug users and their families, by Wolf Depner from Black Press. Read the source article here – New provincial guidelines around the use of involuntary care are getting a thumbs-down from groups advocating for drug users and […]