Do you wear your seatbelt while driving, wear a helmet while riding a bike, slap on some sunscreen when hanging out in the sunshine, or ‘mix in a water’ while consuming alcohol? If so, you are applying harm reduction strategies to reduce the risk associated with activities you engage in.

In 2021, overdose was the leading cause of death in 19-39 year olds within BC. Currently in BC, approximately six people die per day from overdose, ranking more deadly than motor vehicle incidents.  84% of those deaths occurred inside, with 57% occurring in private residences. Now more than ever, people who use drugs, especially those that use alone, need to wear their substance use ‘seatbelts’.  

The Bridge Youth & Family Services Outreach Overdose Prevention Services (OOPS) team delivers harm reduction supplies. Serving the Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country area, individuals can have harm reduction supplies delivered discreetly to their door safely and without judgment.

Reducing barriers to accessing supplies will be a first step in reducing the harms of substance use and preventing potential overdose. With the Outreach Home Reduction Home Delivery Service, people that experience minimal benefit from street-level harm reduction supply distribution, or may have a reluctance to access fixed harm reduction delivery sites, can reduce the risk associated with the activities they engage in.    

The Outreach team delivers Monday to Thursday between 9am and 7pm, and Friday to Sunday between 10am and 6pm. The following supplies are available: 0.5cc Syringes, 1cc syringes, alcohol swabs, bubble pipes, coloured straws, cookers, fentanyl test strips, foil, glass stems, Naloxone kits, screens, sharps disposal boxes, stem/crack kits, sterile water, tourniquets, tubing and vitamin C. Bulk supplies are limited to availability. Discreet delivery can be arranged by calling or texting 250-258-4938.

The Outreach Overdose Prevention Services (OOPS) team assembling harm reduction kits alongside peers with lived experience.