Start the conversation about overdose prevention

Having a conversation about substance use and overdose prevention with someone you care about may not be easy. It may be tough to find the right words to say. It may take many talks. Sometimes it may not go the way you want. But having the conversation together can lead to effective overdose prevention and it can save lives.

We’ve put together some tools and resources that can help.

Additionally, check out these resources for talking to youth about substance use.

According to the B.C. Coroner’s reports, the majority of overdoses are happening inside private residences – often closer than we think.  We all have a role to play to reach out and have a conversation if we are concerned about someone.

Visit our public awareness campaigns section to help spread the word and #StopOverdose.

• Mental Health and Substance Use Family Support: Services overview
  An overview of Mental Health and Substance Use Family Support services at Fraser Health
• HealthLink BC: Substance use Parenting articles
  Advice on how you can begin and continue having conversations about drug use with your kid, teenager, or even your adult children
• HealthyFamiliesBC: Tricky conversations
  Conversations about a topic like drug use can give you the opportunity to guide your child towards sensible and responsible decisions.
• Parents Forever Support Group 
  Parents Forever is a professionally supported, mutual support group for parents and family members of individuals struggling with substance use (18 years of age and up).
• From Grief to Action’s coping kit
  This toolkit is for parents or caregivers who are dealing with a son or daughter’s substance use.
• Suicide prevention
  Substance abuse/overdose may be a sign that a person has suicidal thoughts. Learn about the warning signs of suicide and how to get help.