A new Indigenous-led overdose prevention site at Cheam First Nation near Chilliwack is the first of its kind to open in B.C.

Set up to serve those who use substances with B次元官网网址渃ulturally safe care,B次元官网网址� the site will help prevent overdoses, and drug poisonings with specially trained staff who can also do drug-testing.

B次元官网网址淭he heart-wrenching impact of the toxic drug crisis on our people, families, and communities requires a radical, multi-pronged response,B次元官网网址� said Cheam Chief Andrew Victor, in an Aug. 31 news release.

Operating from a white van parked outside the band office at 52161 West Victor Drive in Rosedale, the new service is open to First Nations, M茅tis, and all residents of Cheam, as well as residents of Chilliwack, Agassiz, Rosedale and nearby communities.

Mental health and addiction issues have been a priority for Cheam leadership for several years, the chief noted.

Since Victor was elected to council eight years ago, theyB次元官网网址檝e been actively looking for ways to expand harm reduction as a community, while reducing systemic barriers and addressing service gaps.

B次元官网网址淥ur strategies must evolve to reduce harm and deaths,B次元官网网址� Victor said.

Project partners include Cheam First Nation, First Nations Health Authority, and Fraser Health.

Victor explained in a followup interview that they started out on this journey two and half years ago, having expressed a keen interest in bringing this type of public-health service to the Cheam community.

B次元官网网址淭here was funding made available to municipalities,B次元官网网址� the chief remembered. B次元官网网址淣one of the municipalities pursued the opportunity, so it was made available to First Nations.B次元官网网址�

The partners signed a B次元官网网址榤emorandum of understandingB次元官网网址� to establish the OPS site at Cheam, which also also provides an opportunity for additional supports and services, like drug testing with fentanyl test strips and a FTIR spectrometer.

The new service opened Sept. 1 at Cheam featuring a customized van in which people can safely use and inject substances, witnessed by trained staff.

Monitored inhalation services are also available, but in a separate tent outside the van.

The unique vision is to B次元官网网址渟urround users of the siteB次元官网网址� with traditional cultural supports and B次元官网网址渃ulturally safe care,B次元官网网址� with outreach workers and peer support workers on-site who are trained to reverse overdoses.

Staff are also trained to refer folks to other appropriate health and social services that weave culture, community, teachings, and connection to the land, into care.

B次元官网网址淕iven the racism within the healthcare system, itB次元官网网址檚 important for Cheam to serve clients based on our cultural teachings and values,B次元官网网址� Victor said. B次元官网网址淎s a community, this service will provide us a chance to grow in our teachings to love and care for people.B次元官网网址�

Are there any concerns about opening the service up to the wider community?

B次元官网网址淵es, there will be some concerns about strangers coming into our community for this public health service, but we must follow our teachings,B次元官网网址� Victor added. B次元官网网址淚t is important that we journey together in a good way and care for each human being with a good heart and a good mind.B次元官网网址�

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