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Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions

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Backgrounders

What people are saying about new drug-checking services in Victoria

Lisa Helps, mayor, Victoria –

“We are grateful to the provincial government for supporting new, innovative technologies. Our community has been one of the hardest hit by the drug-poisoning crisis. This program will save lives and give people the information they need to stay safer.”

Dr. Sandra Allison, medical health officer, Island Health –

“We continue to lose lives to the extremely toxic illicit drug supply. We welcome this new drug-checking device, which will help people make informed choices about the drugs they consume. It is one of the many tools to help address this longstanding health crisis.”

Bruce Wallace, associate professor, University of Victoria school of social work, and scientist, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research –

“We are grateful for the support from the provincial government to support this collaboration between Vancouver Island University and the University of Victoria to pursue both research and harm-reduction interventions in response to the ongoing illicit drug overdose crisis in the province. This new technology allows us to more fully report on the variability in the potency of fentanyl on the streets, which is linked to overdoses.”

Armin Saatchi, graduate student, Vancouver Island University, and person with lived experience –

“Along with family support and the treatment I received for substance dependency, I was able to succeed academically. Without these supports, I would not be standing here today. I am proud to be part of the team developing this new technology, and I’m grateful for the support of the Province, which will help people who desperately need access to the vital information we can provide about the unregulated and unsafe drug supply.”

Kim Toombs, manager of harm reduction services, AVI Health and Community Services –

“As a front-line harm reduction agency, we welcome this new technology. We work closely with the Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project, as it’s a practical and effective way to give folks autonomy and rapid life-saving information. AVI is grateful for this service and the lives it saves as we to work towards a legally regulated supply of substances.”