Victoria drug checking facility marks one year in community, plans to expand
In the fight against the toxic drug crisis, a downtown Victoria drug checking facility has hit its one year anniversary as a storefront.
Substance is a collaboration between University of Victoria students, graduates, and professors. The group checks street drugs to see what is in them, and if they are toxic. It's a service that Dave Keeler says has saved his life.
"You never know what you’re getting out there right now," he said Wednesday.
Substance relies on cutting edge technology to let illicit drug users know exactly what they are taking, and how strong it is.
"This way we empower users of drugs to make an informed decision,” said Substance co-founder and UVic chemistry professor Dennis Hore.
Substance is a storefront drug-checking clinic located in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood. Its services have become more important than ever because street drugs are more toxic, and less predictable, than ever before, according to advocates.
"There's a reason why it's marked on the side of your beer can how strong it is, it allows you to control how much you're ingesting and the rate you're ingesting it at," said Fred Cameron with Solid Outreach Society.
"When you don’t know what you're getting, it’s too late once you plunge."
Substance celebrated its one year anniversary as a storefront Wednesday. Previously, it was less visible and operated in rotating locations, including basements.
Bruce Wallace is one of its co-founders. He says the new facility is in a more prominent physical location and brings a heightened presence in the community, which is important for reducing the stigma associated with drug addiction.
"The storefront is an anti-stigma campaign in real life," said Wallace. "Being able to not have to hide around drug use and being able to be open and have those exchanges with people."
The service is free and anonymous, and has been busier than ever during the pandemic.
More than 2,200 people died from drug overdoses in B.C. last year, and B.C.’s Chief Coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said Wednesday that a regulated safe supply of drugs is what's needed most to help curb the crisis.
But until that happens on a large scale, sites like Substance are critical, she says.
"[They provide] an ability to help manage their safety," said Lapointe
The team at Substance plans to expand to mobile locations around Vancouver Island to help folks in rural parts of the island manage their safety too.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.