Meet the OCAT team
Here is your OCAT team for 2026.
Uncategorized
Our Oceanside Resource Calendar for May 2026
Click to download and print our Oceanside resource calendar for May 2026
‘Desperately missed’: Rally remembers those lost in 10 years of toxic drug emergency
‘Desperately missed’: Rally remembers those lost in 10 years of toxic drug emergency – by Wolfgang Depend from Times Colonist. Read the source article here Paula Beardy said her grandson Sheldon Beardy was a good kid.He would have turned 28 on Monday. But his mother died last year, and after […]
April 14th – In Sadness and Rage
10 years, over 18,000 avoidable deaths. Join us Tuesday April 14th from 1:00 – 3:30 at the BC Legislature Grounds, in Victoria BC. Rally to Rage, Grieve and Remember. Taking the Mic will be Leslie McBain from Moms Stop The Harm, Lisa Lapointe, Former BC Chief Coroner, Ann Livingston from […]
Discontinued Canadian Safe Supply Program Was Working, Study Shows
by Sidney Sauer, from Filter Mag – read the source article here Facing right-wing backlash, harm reduction initiativesaround Canada have steadily been rolled back. Safer opioid supply (SOS) programs—which provide pharmaceutical-grade opioids in lieu of unpredictable street supply—have been one major target, including through legislation restrictingpharmacies’ “high potency” opioid distribution and ending take-home programs. Despite waning political support, […]
B.C. orders Island Health to reinstate mental health supports for youth
Ministry of Health says there have not been any cuts to the program by Maryse Zeidler · CBC News – Read the source article B.C.’s Ministry of Health is ordering the Island Health Authority to reinstate key staff positions for a youth mental health program. The directive came after several […]
Report finds PQB youth face increasing mental health challenges
Youth engaging in ‘risky behaviours’ at higher than B.C. average by Kevin Forsyth @ Vancouver Island Daily – Read the Source Article Youth in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region exceed provincial averages in substance use, with nearly one-third reporting they used substances because they felt down, sad or stressed, according […]
‘It very quickly stops becoming fun’: Comox Valley teen reflects on addiction and overdose
‘For me, it was developing the feeling that I deserve better and figuring out how to develop that’ – Danny Snyder As B.C.’s toxic drug crisis nears the 10-year mark, it’s difficult to find someone in the province who hasn’t been affected in some way. Since the province’s first needle […]
CTV’s Penny Daflos Series on BC’s Toxic Drug Crisis, Harm Reduction, Recovery and Supportive Housing
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 […]
CHLY Radio Nanaimo presents
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 […]