​​On International Overdose Awareness Day, Aug. 31, we'd like to share how First Nations-led harm-reduction programs are making a difference and empowering community members who use substances to make safer choices.  

These programs are demonstrating that toxic drug-related poisonings and deaths can be prevented with culturally safe education and support. They are examples of the power of collective care, solidarity, and action to prevent toxic-drug poisoning, save lives, and support healing.

In fact, data suggests that these and other community-led harm-reduction efforts are a factor in the decreased rates of toxic-drug deaths and events we are seeing in 2025, after several years of significant and devastating increases. The FNHA's Health Surveillance team, in collaboration with partners at the BC Centre for Disease Control, conducted an analysis to estimate the number of deaths averted due to harm reduction efforts. We found that between January 2018 and December 2022, about 1,024 lives (43 per cent) were saved due to harm reduction initiatives, including the Take-Home Naloxone program, Opioid Agonist Therapy, regional overdose prevention sites, and supervised consumption sites.

One community's experience leading a harm-reduction program

The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) is one Nation that is seeing results with their harm reduction program. Culturally grounded and rooted in First Nations values of care, respect, and community wellness, their program began with harm reduction education and resources, such as Naloxone Kits and drug-testing strips, and has expanded to include a Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer that can identify up to six substances in a drug sample. Examples include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and various cutting agents (substances to increase product bulk/profitability, e.g., caffeine). The program also provides substance use treatment referrals, prevention activities, and cultural supports.

“We believe in providing harm reduction services to the overall community and individual community members," says Lane Brewer, the OKIB's Harm Reduction Program Supervisor. “We work at community safety through initiatives such as community sweeps, which is paraphernalia [items used for substance use like glass pipes, syringes or tinfoil] cleanups at high-traffic community locations such as school bus stops, and our yellow box program, which includes paraphernalia disposal boxes in various locations throughout the community."

Lane says they have received very positive feedback from the families involved.

“We also work at providing community member safety through harm reduction supply distribution such as Naloxone, drug-checking supplies, safe-use supplies, safe-sex supplies and pregnancy tests," he says.

All OKIB prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and aftercare programming is aimed at reducing stigma, building connection, and helping people make informed decisions wherever they are on their journey with substance use – from supporting people who are actively using substances to working alongside people who want to begin treatment to reduce or stop their substance use.

“This shows us that building connections through harm reduction works," says Lane. “Harm reduction programs provide opportunities to interact and build connections with community members well before they are at the stage of considering treatment, while showing them where help is when they're ready."

Local culturally safe drug checking to test substances before use, without stigma, is critical given the rise in contaminated and toxic unregulated/illicit drugs. We can all help end stigma and save lives by encouraging open conversations about substance use.

The FNHA's response: healing in action

We want to honour and remember those lost to toxic-drug poisonings and the grief carried by families and communities. As part of our response efforts, the FNHA provides grants for International Overdose Awareness Day events, with almost $250,000 disbursed for events this year. As well, the FNHA's Office of the Chief Medical Officer conducts training sessions for peer-led grief-support groups across the province. For information about these groups, called Healing Indigenous Hearts, contact our Chief Medical Office at cmo.office@fnha.ca.