North Shore

Toxic drug and health alerts is a free, real-time text messaging service for anyone to receive toxic drug alerts or share information about toxic drugs in their community. This service is anonymous. People can also get other information by text message, like where to find naloxone or how to get drugs tested.

Text notifications are now sent to subscribers who want timely information about illicit substances and increases in toxic drug poisonings in their region. Subscribing is easy – simply text JOIN to 253787.

People living in the Fraser Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health, and Vancouver Coastal Health regions can sign up to receive text message alerts about toxic drugs in their community. The service is anonymous.

To sign up text the word JOIN to 253787 (ALERTS). When you sign up you’ll be asked which health region you want to get alerts for. You can choose more than one region or sign up for the whole province.

The Toxic Drug and Health Alerts system is also a platform for people to anonymously submit information such as date and location of drug overdose, a physical description of the drug and packaging, where the substance was purchased, and what it is believed to be. Community members—including those who use substances—are encouraged to submit information by texting OD to 253787. Once received, the information is reviewed by harm reduction teams and used in conjunction with other sources to send text message alerts to subscribers. People who use drugs, community partners, emergency departments, first responders, drug user groups, and the BC Coroners Service all help inform alerts.