Island Health Introduces New Care And Connection Kiosks At Hospitals In Campbell River, Nanaimo And Victoria

Island Health has introduced three Care and Connection Kiosks at hospitals in Campbell River, Nanaimo and Victoria, offering community members a new  way to access free, lifesaving, harm reduction supplies and information about mental health and substance use services, supports and treatment.

"We know that shame and blame can keep people who use drugs from asking for help and not accessing the means they need to stay safer – which can often be fatal,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health, and Addictions.

"These new Care and Connection Kiosks are discreet and always open, making it easier for more people to get the life-saving supplies and treatment information they need where and when they need it."

The kiosks will dispense discreetly packaged harm reduction items including condoms, wound care supplies, naloxone kits, take-home drug testing strips, and syringes and safe disposal containers.

Each kiosk will be located outside the emergency departments at North Island Hospital - Campbell River, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and Victoria General Hospital.

The kiosks are an alternative for people who currently visit emergency departments seeking harm reduction supplies and services, and the supplies offered through the kiosks are those most commonly requested from the emergency department.

In addition to harm reduction supplies, the kiosks will contain information on substance use treatment, mental health supports, community resources, and how people can connect to local services.

Research shows that harm reduction supply kiosks can reduce overdose rates, decrease new HIV and Hepatitis C infections, and can distribute more life-saving naloxone and testing strips than in-person services.

304 people have died in Island Health this year (as of August 31) from toxic, unregulated substances.

To learn more, visit Island Health.