Island Health has issued a drug poisoning overdose advisory for North Vancouver Island.

The advisory, issued yesterday and in place for a week, says residents are at increased risk of overdose through both inhalation and injection of opioids and other stimulants.

If you suspect someone of overdosing, call 911 immediately, and stay with them; administer Naloxone if available; and give one breather every 5 seconds.

In January, at least 198 people in British Columbia died due to the toxic, unregulated drug supply. That works out to about 6.4 lives lost per day.

Visit Island Health's Harm Reduction Services page to find information on supervised consumption sites, drug-checking services & more.