BC is responding to two public health emergencies: the spread of COVID-19 and the ongoing opioid overdose crisis.
Guidance has been created to support caring for people who have a history of substance use, including opioids, stimulants, alcohol, benzodiazepines or tobacco, and who are at risk of COVID-19 infection.
To reduce the risk of transmission, the guidance outlines steps that prescribers, pharmacists and care teams can take to support the provision of medications – including safe prescription alternatives to the illegal drug supply – to be delivered directly to patients, along with telemedicine for clinical assessments.
This document provides guidance on providing overdose prevention services outside of an established supervised consumption or overdose prevention site (SCS/OPS) such as in acute care, shelters, supportive housing or other social service settings. This guidance supports staff who may receive requests from patients, clients or residents to observe substance use and respond to overdose or may recognize the benefit of providing this service.
