Our Campaigns Together We Act Unintentional drug overdoses have caused more Together We Act is a public health campaign than 15,000 deaths since being declared a public created to educate and advocate for solutions health emergency in BC in April 2016. This crisis is to the toxic drug poisoning crisis, and to fund having a tragic impact on people facing inequities projects and initiatives that take action through and injustices due to systemic barriers including innovative solutions, 昀氀exible and bold policies, and oppression, harmful drug policies, prohibition, collaboration across communities, governments, and misinformation. We know that people are and healthcare. losing their lives, every day, and we need this to end. We are dedicated to action on the toxic drug poisoning crisis — before more lives are lost. Project Spotlight: Wastewater Testing for Unregulated Drugs The Foundation is currently fundraising for an initiative that is harnessing wastewater testing for unregulated substances. Testing wastewater for trends in unregulated drug use, like fentanyl, may help provide a crucial new tool to combat the toxic drug poisoning crisis. With anonymous, population-level data, the testing will be used to arm our decision-makers with invaluable information that will help to create healthier public policies, ensure programs and policies keep pace with the changing needs and landscape of this emergency, and provide evidence to help understand the potential for new community-based safer supply models. A scientist studies samples through a microscope in a lab This work is being led by Dr Alexis Crabtree, Medical Lead of Harm Reduction and Substance “This project supports an equity-driven approach Use Services at BCCDC, and Dr Natalie to collecting and using sensitive data, which Prystajecky, Program Head for the Environmental ultimately can in昀氀uence critical health policies Microbiology Program at the BCCDC Public to advance life-saving solutions. And the scope Health Laboratory. The goal of this testing will of this population-level data is not available be for communities to be advised of the presence elsewhere, making it a real game changer for our of life-threatening substances before they can partners across the province.” — Dr Prystajecky cause fatal harm. and Dr Crabtree, BCCDC 6 Paci昀椀c Public Health Foundation