Community Supports and Resources

• The Junction is a hub of community-based support for people 19+ who self-identify as maintaining or seeking recovery or wellness from substance use.
• Tailgate Toolkit offers harm reduction services and an anonymous social support group for those working in the trades.
• CIRP Buildstrong App provides trades workers with on-demand access to mental health and substance use support, giving them the power to prioritize their well-being and take control of their mental health.  BCIT access code: 90565

• Toward the Heart provides information about Take-Home Naloxone kits, naloxone training, toxic drug alerts, overdose prevention or supervised consumption sites, and more. 
• Drug Checking Services provide free and anonymous services to inform individuals about whether their drugs are contaminated. 
• First Nations Health Authority provides harm reduction information and culturally safe resources.  
• Respondtooverdose.gov.bc.ca is a centralized resource created by the BC government to offer information on preventing, recognizing, and responding to an overdose. 

• Call 8-1-1 or visit HelpStartsHere for treatment, recovery, and mental health resources.
• Opioid Treatment Access Line (1-833-804-8111, 9 – 4 PM every day) is a free and confidential service to access medication that prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces the risk of opioid overdose.
• 211 is a free provincial health information and referral phone line. Callers can speak to a community resource navigator who can provide information and referrals to community and government programs, such as the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral line. 
• Culturally safe and trauma-informed services are available through the First Nations Health Authority.  

• Recovery Services and Treatment Support offers information and directs individuals to essential resources for those facing substance use challenges. Recognizing that each person’s healing journey is unique, this service connects people with the support they need, tailored to their specific recovery path.
• Here2Talk connects post-secondary students with access to free, confidential counselling and community services via app, phone and web. Language specific support is available upon request.
• KUU-US Crisis Line (1-800-588-8717) provides culturally safe supports for Indigenous people.
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is a safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call or text 9-8-8.

If you know, love and/ or support someone who uses substances, it is not always clear what you might be able to do. Friends, family and community are an important part of a support system for someone who uses substances and who may be looking for help.

• Supporting people who use substances – A guide to help supporters.
• Support Groups – Peer-facilitated support groups for Canadian families and individuals whose loved ones use or have used substances. 
• Resources for families and caregivers: Grief to Action Coping kit; Gone too Soon booklet.
• Moms Stop the Harm: A network of Canadian families impacted by substance-use-related harms and deaths. They provide peer support to grieving families, and assist those with loved ones who use or have used substances.
• With Open Arms Toolkit: A resource for Indigenous youth for keeping friends close in conversations about substance use.
• Talking about Substance Use: A 2 page PDF of how to become a safe person to talk to and how to support people who use substances.