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B.C.’s Response to the Toxic Drug Crisis

Last updated on July 17, 2025

The toxic drug crisis in B.C. has become more dangerous, with stronger and less predictable drugs. In response, the government is expanding support services to help people stay safe and access the right care for them.

Find supports that work for you

There are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Everyone’s story is unique. In B.C., there are a growing number of supports.

What we are doing

B.C. is expanding mental health and addictions services with options for care to help people stay safe and find what works best for them. 

B.C.’s Recovery Model

In 2023, the government of British Columbia has launched an innovative approach to addictions care called Road to Recovery. This model is designed to offer seamless care that fits each person’s unique needs. 

We know that recovery can be challenging, and it isn’t always a straight path. Road to Recovery aims to make it easier to talk to someone about your treatment needs and get connected to care. Learn more about Road to Recovery.

Reducing deaths and keeping communities safe

B.C. has a range of approaches aimed at helping keep people who use drugs safer and reduce their risk of death or other harms from toxic drugs.

  • Drug Checking

​Drugs can be tested to see what’s really in them, which helps people make informed choices about how and what they use. Learn more about drug checking or find drug checking sites near you. If your drugs were not dispensed by a pharmacy—e.g., bought on the street or through a friend—you don’t know for sure what’s in them.

  • Drug Alerts

Drug alerts in B.C. warn the public when dangerous or toxic street drugs are found in a community. These alerts help people stay safe by sharing real-time information about unusual reactions or concerning drug samples that could cause overdose or other serious harm. 

Text ‘JOIN’ to get toxic drug alerts ALERTS (253787) anywhere in B.C.

  • Lifeguard App

The Lifeguard app can contact emergency services if someone doesn’t respond after taking drugs. You can download the app for iOS (Apple) or Android phones.

  • Overdose Prevention Services

Overdose prevention services give people a place to use drugs in the presence of a health professional. They can provide people with supplies like clean needles and contact emergency services if someone seems to be overdosing. Many overdose prevention services also provide drug checking, as well as referrals to other health services and treatment supports. Find overdose prevention sites near you.

  • Spot the Signs of an Overdose and Respond

Learn about how to help if someone is having an overdose. Be prepared to spot the signs and respond. 

  • Naloxone

Naloxone is a medication that can help reverse overdoses. You can get a naloxone kit to carry with you for free. Learn more about how to respond to an overdose using naloxone. If you represent a publicly funded organization, you can apply to receive free nasal naloxone through the Workplace Nasal Naloxone Pilot Initiative by emailing naloxonesupplies@gov.bc.ca while supplies last. 

  • Decriminalization

Addiction is a health issue, not a criminal one. Working closely with the Federal government, British Columbia has implemented a policy to decriminalize small amounts of certain illicit drugs for personal use, aiming to help people access health services. This applies to adults who possess up to 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, meth, or MDMA in private residences, places unhoused individuals are legally sheltering, and certain harm reduction and treatment locations. Drug use in public areas remains illegal.  Learn more at Gov.bc.ca/Decriminalization.

  • Prescribed Alternatives and Witnessed Dosing

Doctors can prescribe medications to help protect vulnerable people from drug poisoning, injury, or death and connect them to other care and support. B.C. is moving to a witnessed dosing model, where the consumption of these prescribed alternatives must be supervised by a health-care professional.

Learn more about B.C.'s escalated drug-poisoning response actions or ways to stay safer if you use drugs.