Find Local Services
British Columbia Services
811 - BC Nurseline
Call 811 from anywhere in BC, 24/7 to speak with a registered nurse and ask a health question. For TTY service, call 7-1-1. Translation services are available in over 130 languages on request.
To speak with a pharmacist, call 8-1-1, any night between 5 pm and 9 am. Pharmacists can answer medication questions when your community pharmacist is unavailable.
(updated Jun 1-09)
Addictive Drug Information Council of British Columbia - ADIC
"A collaboration between members from the medical, health care, educational, law enforcement, legal and scientific communities, government and non-government agencies, business and community leaders. Each group conveys a unique perspective on the effects of addictive drugs on society."
(updated May 24-09)
Adolescent Health Survey - AHS
This is a province wide survey conducted in 1992, 1998, 2003 and 2008 by the McCreary Center Society. Over the years, more than 73,000 students, grades 7 to 12, from 45 BC school districts have participated in the surveys. It asks questions on the physical and emotional health of students, and other factors that can influence health during adolescence or in later life.
(updated May 24-09)
Against the Odds: A Profile of Marginalized and Street-Involved Youth in BC
www.mcs.bc.ca/pdf/Against_the_odds_2007_web.pdf
Summarizes the results of surveys conducted with youth living in the streets of BC. Examines who these youth are, how they got there, challenges and opportunities, and some of the issues they face, such as violence or their substance use. Conducted by the McCreary Centre Society.
(updated Jun 11-09)
AIDS Hotline
Province wide, 24/7, toll-free hotline in BC 1-800-661-4337. Provides information regarding modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, testing, treatment and prevention of HIV/Aids.
(updated May 24-09)
Al-Anon / Alateen Groups - BC / Yukon Assembly, Area 81
Lists meeting times and places for Al-Anon & Alateen groups throughout British Columbia and the Yukon. Alateen is for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. Alateen is not a program for young people seeking sobriety.
(updated Jul 13-09)
Alcohol / Drug Overdose Deaths in BC 1996 to 2003
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/coroners/publications/docs/ stats-alcohol-drug-overdose-1996-2003.pdf
BC Coroner Services statistical report lists the number of deaths by age group, ethnicity, type of drug and geographical area.
(updated May 24-09)
Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service
www.communityinfo.bc.ca/adirs.htm
This is a confidential service available 24/7 to all residents of BC. To speak with an addiction support worker, you can call 1-800-663-1441 toll-free from anywhere in BC or 604-660-9382 from the Lower Mainland. You can also text your drug or alcohol related question to 604-836-6381 (collect calls accepted), send a fax 604-660-9415, use the TTY line 604-875-0885. You can also send your question via e-mail or fill-out an form online.
(updated Jun 1-09)
Alcohol Use Among BC Youth
www.mcs.bc.ca/pdf/alcohol_ahs_3_fs.pdf
Describes trends in alcohol use by youth in 1998 compared to 1992. The information comes from the Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) province wide surveys of youth, conducted by the McCreary Centre Society.
(updated May 25-09)
Alcoholics Anonymous - BC/Yukon Area 79
Lists the meeting times and places of AA groups in BC, the Yukon, and a small protions of Washington.
(updated May 24-09)
Association of B.C. First Nations Treatment Programs
www.firstnationstreatment.org/
The Association is an inter-agency network of residential/outpatient addictions programs operated by First Nations in the province of B.C. Currently, the Association has a membership of 10 programs located both in rural and urban settings. Their mission is "To provide a First Nations forum that promotes culturally relevant best practices to enhance, excel and advance the continuum of care in addressing addictions."
(updated May 24-09)
BC Mental Health & Addiction Services - BCMHAS
BCMHAS is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), that provides a range of one-of-a-kind, specialized (also referred to as "tertiary") mental health services to people across the province. This includes the assessment and treatment of children and youth with co-occuring issues of mental health and substance use, the research and exchange of knowledge, and mental health promotion.
(updated May 24-09)
British Columbia Ministry of Children & Family Development
Provides a wide range of services and connects youth to programs and workers that can help them if they are having difficulties, are sexually exploited, have an addiction to drugs or alcohol, are living on the street, have mental health problems, or a combination of issues.
(updated May 24-09)
British Columbia Ministry of Heath Services, Mental Health and Addictions
Responsible for developing policy, long term planning and best practices strategies and initiatives for the delivery of mental health and addictions services in BC. Addiction services in BC are provided through the Health Authorities.
(updated May 24-09)
British Columbia Regional Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous - BCRSCNA
Lists the meeting times and places of NA groups in BC.
(updated May 24-09)
Centre for Addictions Research in BC
Conducts research on substabce use, harm reduction and addiction, disseminates findings and works with government to influence policy and planning. You can acces the SILINK Library a virtual library of documents relating to substance use and addictions.
(updated May 24-09)
Cocaine Anonymous - BC Area
Call 1-866-662-8300 or 604-662-8500 (Lower Mainland) for 24/7 support or check out their web site for a list of meeting times and places for CA groups in British Columbia.
(updated Jul 13-09)
Concurrent Disorders: Mental Disorders and Substance Use Problems
heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/factsheets/concurrent
Explains what dual-diagnosis is, examines how prevalent it is in BC, and where to get help. This fact sheet is part of "The Primer" series, a series of publications made to give you an good introduction to a variety of mental health and addictions topics. They are published by the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.
(updated May 24-09)
Crystal Meth Secretariat
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/crystalmeth/
Is part of the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. It works with all aspects of government and community to implement BC's Strategy on Crystal Meth.
(updated Jun 1-09)
D.A.R.E. BC Society
This is an abstinence based drug education and awareness program that is conducted by the police in schools. The program is tailored to individual age groups and has a parent education component as well.
(updated May 24-09)
Every Door is the Right Door : A BC Planning Framework for Problematic Substance Use and Addiction
www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2004/framework_for_substance_use_and_addiction.pdf
Outlines the Governments strategy for dealing with Substance Use and Addiction issues in BC.
(updated Jun 9-09)
Following the Evidence: Preventing Harms from Substance Use in BC
www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2006/followingtheevidence.pdf
This paper presents five evidence-based strategic directions for policymakers and service providers in BC to achieve maximum and sustained benefit in preventing harm associated with substance use.
(updated May 24-09)
Fraser Health - Mental Health and Addiction Services
www.fraserhealth.ca/Services/MentalHealthandAddictions/Pages/default.aspx
Fraser Health Authority provides mental health and addiction services in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
Check out : Mental Health and Addiction Services : Strategic Plan. Transforming Care Together, 2007-2012. and "Strategies and Interventions for Dealing with Crystal Methamphetamine and other Emerging Drug Trends" (2005).
Check out : Mental Health and Addiction Services : Strategic Plan. Transforming Care Together, 2007-2012. and "Strategies and Interventions for Dealing with Crystal Methamphetamine and other Emerging Drug Trends" (2005).
(updated Jun 1-09)
Here to Help
Provides information and support to individuals and families in BC, to help them better manage mental health and substance use problems. Information is available in eleven languages.
(updated May 24-09)
Illegal Drug Use Among BC Youth
www.mcs.bc.ca/pdf/drugs_ahs_3_fs.pdf
Describes trends in alcohol use by youth in 1998 compared to 1992. The information comes from the Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) province wide surveys of youth, conducted by the McCreary Centre Society.
(updated May 25-09)
Illicit Drug Deaths 1997 - 2007
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/coroners/publications/docs/stats-illicitdrugdeaths-1997-2007.pdf
BC Coroner Services statististical report on deaths related to illicit drug use in BC from 1997 to 2007. Broken down by age group, gender, type of death, time of year, and city.
(updated May 24-09)
Interior Health - Mental Health and Addictions Services
www.interiorhealth.ca/health-services.aspx?id=5556
Interior Health Authority provides mental health and addiction services in following four Health Service Areas: Thompson Cariboo Shuswap, Okanagan, East Kootenay, and Kootenay Boundary.
"Youth Services have been greatly expanded for IH residents. The Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, an 8 bed regional facility helping young people, aged 12 through 17, opened in Kelowna in 2003. Youth concurrent disorder specialists have been hired across the region, through partnership with the Ministry for Children and Family Development. Short-stay addiction treatment beds have also been added across each Health Service Area, as well as specialists in methaphemtamine treatment and education. A mobile youth day treatment program was created in the Thompson Cariboo, offering services in the youth’s home community. An evidence-based prevention service framework has been created to support new addiction prevention positions across the Interior. This framework will target the populations of youth transitioning to adolescence, young adults at risk for binge drinking as well as perinatal women and the elderly." From Regional Profile : Interior Health, 2008
"Youth Services have been greatly expanded for IH residents. The Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, an 8 bed regional facility helping young people, aged 12 through 17, opened in Kelowna in 2003. Youth concurrent disorder specialists have been hired across the region, through partnership with the Ministry for Children and Family Development. Short-stay addiction treatment beds have also been added across each Health Service Area, as well as specialists in methaphemtamine treatment and education. A mobile youth day treatment program was created in the Thompson Cariboo, offering services in the youth’s home community. An evidence-based prevention service framework has been created to support new addiction prevention positions across the Interior. This framework will target the populations of youth transitioning to adolescence, young adults at risk for binge drinking as well as perinatal women and the elderly." From Regional Profile : Interior Health, 2008
(updated Jun 1-09)
Lighting Up : Tobacco Use Among BC Youth
Describes trends in tobacco use by youth in 1998 compared to 1992. The information comes from the Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) province wide surveys of youth, conducted by the McCreary Centre Society.
(updated May 24-09)
Marijuana Use Among BC Youth
www.mcs.bc.ca/pdf/marijuana.pdf
Describes trends in marijuana use by youth in 1998 compared to 1992. The information comes from the Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) province wide surveys of youth, conducted by the McCreary Centre Society.
(updated May 24-09)
Mental Health & Addiction Services for Children, Youth and Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Document highlights the approach and principal recommendations used in BC for planning mental health and addiction services for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities.
(updated May 30-09)
Mental Health Information Line
Call 1-800-661-2121 or 604-669-7600 (Lower Mainland), 24/7. Provides taped information on provincial mental health programs as well as symptoms, causes, treatment, support groups and publications relating to a number of mental illnesses.
(updated May 24-09)
Methamphetamine Deaths in BC
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/coroners/publications/docs/ stats-methamphetamine-deaths-2000-2004.pdf
BC Coroner Services statististical report on deaths related to methamphetamine in BC in 2000 - 2004.
(updated May 24-09)
Needle Exchanges
www.health.gov.bc.ca/hiv/needle.html
Needle exchanges provide needles, needle cleaning supplies and condoms to injection drug users and sex trade workers. Needle exchange supplies are free. Client anonymity is a priority. The BC Ministry of Health offers confidential needle exchange services in the following communities: Campbell River, Chilliwack, Gibsons, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Powell River, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Quesnel, Surrey, Vancouver, Vernon and Victoria. For futher information call 1-800-465-4911 or your local health authority.
(updated Jul 6-09)
National Services
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation - CACCF
If you are looking for an addictions counsellor, you may want to make sure that they are certified and have the qualifications you are looking for. To learn more about the knowledge and skills required for a drug and alcohol counsellor, check out the CACCF website.
(updated May 21-09)
Canadian Mental Health Association - CMHA
The CMHA is an organization that promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. They can help you find information and services specific to FAS/FAE and concurrent disorders (dual-diagnosis.)
(updated May 24-09)
Childhelp - National Child Abuse Hotline
Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) and press #1 to speak with a counselor. Service is available 24/7, 365 days a year to help kids, and even adults who are concerned about kids they suspect are being abused or neglected. You can call this number if you live in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
(updated Sep 30-09)
DanceSafe
DanceSafe is a harm reduction organization promoting health and safety within the rave and nightclub community across the United States and Canada. They provide Information on club drugs and how to be safe at raves and reduce the risk of getting heat stroke. DanceSafe also provides training to volunteers who may want to start their own chapter.
(updated Oct 11-09)