Public Consultation | Proposed Financial Plan & Tax Rate Bylaws

  • Home
  • Public Consultation | Proposed Financial Plan & Tax Rate Bylaws

News from Island Health-Launching text alert system for drug-poisoning advisories

NEWS RELEASE from Island Health

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2022

 

Stay informed, stay safer: Island Health launches text alert system

for drug-poisoning advisories

 

Island-wide — People can now be alerted via text message about drug-poisoning advisories in the Island Health region thanks to an innovative partnership.

 

Anyone can join the system anonymously by texting JOIN to 253787, and subscribers will receive text alerts when Island Health distributes drug-poisoning overdose advisories to specific regions. These advisories share information about increases in toxic drug poisonings in the Island Health region and provide tips for safer drug use. Alerts featuring other public-health related information may also be available in the future.

 

“Separating people from the toxic drug supply is one of the most important ways we can prevent drug poisonings and death,” said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This new alert system is one more critical tool available as the province expands harm reduction measures, while connecting people to lifesaving supports.”

 

“This initiative lets us share important information about drug poisonings quickly with communities across Vancouver Island,” says Keva Glynn, Island Health’s executive lead for Mental Health and Substance Use. “It’s another way to help people stay safer and informed.”

 

The need for text-based alerting is driven by an increase in deaths due to the toxic illicit drug supply in B.C. The system was developed by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and the Office of Virtual Health at the Provincial Health Services Authority, in partnership with regional health authorities. Island Health is the third health authority in B.C. to launch the system; Interior Health and Fraser Health also introduced it earlier this year. It will continue gradually expanding to other regions of the province.

 

“The alerts system is now providing vital information to people who use substances and community partners in Interior, Fraser and now Island Health,” says Dr. Alexis Crabtree, public health physician, substance use and harm reduction with BCCDC’s Public Health Response team. “Until people who use substances have access to a regulated drug supply, this is one way people can quickly receive information to reduce drug poisoning events and deaths.”

 

“I think this service will benefit many, including those who use substances and their loved ones,” says Beth Haywood, a peer project coordinator at Island Health. “It will help clients and peers stay aware about what’s happening in their communities.”

 

For general information on how to get help, be involved and be informed, visit stopoverdosebc.ca.

 

 

About Island Health:

Island Health provides health care and support services to more than 860,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River. With more than 27,000 staff and over 2,900 physician partners, 1,000 volunteers, and the dedicated support of foundations and auxiliaries, Island Health delivers a broad range of health services, including: public health services, primary health care, home and community care, mental health and addictions services, acute care in hospitals, and much more across a huge, geographically diverse region.

   

 

Media inquiries:

Dominic Abassi

250-755-7966

Dominic.Abassi@islandhealth.ca

  

 
   
December 15, 2022 0 comments

Road Work on Zeballos FSR December 14, 2022 to January 30, 2023

Please be advised of road improvement activities taking place between 20-23.5km on the Zeballos FSR from December 14, 2022-January 30, 2023. Portions of the road will be narrow at times, drive with caution while passing through the worksite. Expect up to 30 minute delays, please plan your travel accordingly

December 14, 2022 0 comments

In Freezing Temperatures, Check Your Water Lines

Please be aware of the water lines on your property in these freezing temperatures.

Water pipes can burst and cause leaks when frozen.

Please be diligent and check that your property is prepared for the cold winter ahead.

November 18, 2022 0 comments

Road Maintenance PSA

Please be advised of Road Maintenance activities taking place along the Fair Harbour FSR between 2km and 29km from Tuesday, November 8 to Sunday, November 13, 2022. Expect up to 20 minute delays. Please plan your travel accordingly.

November 8, 2022 0 comments

Open fires to be allowed again in Coastal Fire Centre

Effective at noon Pacific Daylight Time on Friday, October 28, 2022, open burning activities will once again be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

Category 2 and Category 3 open fires have been prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction since July 15, 2022, with a set end-date of October 28, 2022. This prohibition is being allowed to lapse due to current and expected rainfall, along with a return to seasonal temperatures.

The ending of the prohibition applies to all public and private land, unless specified otherwise (e.g., in a local government bylaw). People are asked to check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

Specifically, this change will allow the following activities:

“category 2 open fire” which means an open fire, other than a campfire, that

  1. burns material in one pile not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width,
  2. burns material concurrently in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width, or
  3. burns stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 ha.

 

“category 3 open fire” which means an open fire that burns

  1. material concurrently in 3 or more piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width,
  2. material in one or more piles each exceeding 2 m in height or 3 m in width,
  3. one or more windrows, or
  4. stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 ha.

Also allowed will be the previously prohibited activities listed below (Wildfire Act, Section 12):

  • Fireworks, including firecrackers;
  • Sky Lanterns;
  • Binary Exploding Targets;
  • Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description; and,
  • Air Curtain Burners.

The campfire prohibition within the Coastal Fire Centre was lifted on September 20, 2022. This applies to campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, or to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area and have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire.

A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: openburningregs_2022update.pdf

The Coastal Fire Centre covers all the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range from the U.S.-Canada border at Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.

To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

Learn More:

Follow the latest wildfire news:

Contact:

Fire Information Officer

BC Wildfire Service

Coastal Fire Centre

250-951-4209

October 26, 2022 0 comments

Upcoming Road Maintenance-Zeballos FSR

Please be advised of roadside brushing and ditch maintenance activities from the highway to Zeballos will be starting tomorrow, October 19, and carrying on until November 7th.

Please wait for crews to signal you before driving through active worksites and reduce speed to 20 km/h through the worksites.

Thank you and stay safe!

 

 

October 19, 2022 0 comments

2022 General Local Election | Declaration of Candidates

Unable to attend one of our voting opportunities?

Qualified electors in the Village of Zeballos can register to vote and cast a ballot by mail, rather than attending in-person at a polling station.
Deadline to r
equest your mail ballot is Friday, September 16. Please contact the Village Office by email to reception@zeballos.com or call 250-761-4229.
2022 General Election Voting Opportunities will be held at the Zeballos Village Office on the following days:
  • Wed, October 5        8:00 am – 8:00 pm             [Mandatory Advanced]
  • Fri, October 7            8:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Tue, October 11      8:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Wed, October 12    8:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Thu, October 13      8:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Fri, October 14        8:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Sat, October 15        8:00 am – 8:00 pm             [General Voting Day]
If you’d like to know more about voting, and if you are qualified to vote, read more here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/govern…/voter_guide_english.pdf
September 13, 2022 in Election 0 comments