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Fraser Health makes changes to free online harm reduction supply portal

The regional health authority says it was directed by the province to redesign the site.
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
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The online portal originally included an option to order free harm-reduction supplies. As of Aug. 23, that is no longer the case.Fraser Health/Screenshot

Fraser Health has made changes to its online portal that would have offered free harm reduction supplies. 

On Aug. 7, the regional health authority announced it was partnering with MTS Logistics and Mountainside Harm Reduction Society to bring free harm reduction supplies to those who need them, in response to the ongoing opioid pandemic. 

Now, however, when accessing the portal, the only items available are a personal fentanyl screening strips kit, take-home Naloxone kits and safe sex supplies. 

When asked by Glacier Media why the majority of supplies have been removed, an emailed statement today, Aug. 23, from Fraser Health said it was directed by the province to redesign the site to more prominently feature how people may access treatment and prevention. 

"The unregulated toxic drug supply continues to impact our communities, taking the lives of friends, family members and loved ones," the statement from Fraser Health Vice President of Population Health and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Ingrid Tyler stated.

"This tragic public health emergency requires us to consistently think outside the box and consider how we can deliver services in ways that best support people who use substances. These efforts have included working in partnership with MTS Logistics and Mountainside Harm Reduction Society to bring harm reduction supplies directly to people who use substances through an online portal." 

"Access to treatment is another critical component of the care continuum," the authority added.

"For this reason, we were directed by the Province to redesign the website to more prominently feature how people may access treatment and prevention, ensuring drug testing kits and naloxone are available to save lives, and providing information that supports people in their recovery journey."

The statement did not say the items were being removed permanently, but that the redesign includes "a pause on offering some hard reduction supplies" on the portal.

When visiting the site, the portal originally offered injection and inhalation supplies including syringes, pipes and smoking bowls.

"The products are available free of charge to people living in the Fraser Health region and are for personal use only," an initial news release about the free site stated. 

"The portal operates like other online shopping websites, enabling people to effortlessly select products, add them to a virtual basket and complete the order. People at Mountainside package the supplies and MTS Logistics coordinates delivery."

As of June 2024, nearly 1,160 lives have been lost in B.C. due to unregulated drug toxicity.