Did you know that over 500 Gabriolans have been trained on how to administer Naloxone?
Trainings were attended by neighbours from all over the island from all age groups.
One of our key initiatives, the Poisoned Drug Action Table, is a community-led response to the ongoing drug poisoning crisis on Gabriola.
It’s made up of Collaborative members and individuals from the Gabriola Health Care Foundation, People for a Healthy Community, Island Health, Moms Stop the Harm, Gabriola Outreach, and other community volunteers…
…with funding through Community Action Initiative (CAI), managed by AVI Health & Community Services.
This community-focused project is aimed at increasing awareness of how poisoned drugs have impacted families on Gabriola.
The goal is to foster compassion, reduce stigma, and promote empathy toward individuals and families affected by substance use and loss.
Featuring…
Public Education & Engagement
Creating a Sounder Newspaper series (June – Sept), community event, and information table at the Agi-Hall public market.
Community Response Enhancement
Increasing response capacity through Naloxone training events and Peer Mentorship opportunities for local Gabriola outreach workers.
News Release
News Release
Gabriola Health & Wellbeing Collaborative Secures Funding to Address Poisoned Drug Crisis
Our Collaborative’s Poisoned Drug Action Table (PDAT) is proud to announce that we have successfully secured a $10,000 Community Action Team (CAT) Top-Up Grant to support our ongoing efforts to address the impact of poisoned drugs on Gabriola Island.
This funding, provided through the Community Action Initiative (CAI), will enable the Collaborative to implement a series of impactful initiatives aimed at enhancing public understanding, building community capacity, and improving local coordination in response to the crisis.
Find more details in this article in the Gabriola Sounder.
Danielle Bye, PDAT Committee member and PHC Outreach Worker at the Information Table at the Agi Hall Saturday Market.
Presence at the Saturday Market!
As part of the grant, we had a Poisoned Drug Action Table (PDAT) info booth at the market at the Agi Hall on Saturdays.
Sounder Series
The Building Hope series, published in the Gabriola Sounder, is about the poisoned drug crisis and its impacts on Gabriola Island.
Article 1: Poisoned drugs are on Gabriola. Can a compassionate community help address the crisis?
Published Date: June 29, 2025
Article 2: Illicit drug use is higher risk than in the past; the impacts are far-reaching
Published Date: July 22, 2025
Article 3: A sister and a mother reflect on how drug overdoses claimed the lives of their loved ones
Published Date: July 25, 2025
Article 4: Two accounts about being in recovery from addiction
Published Date: Aug 6, 2025
Do you have any feedback about the stories? Please email gabriolapdat@gmail.com
Important Community Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help on Gabriola…
Click here for a list of additional resources.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Gabriola Fellowship Church (775 Church St):
Sunday, 7pm
Wednesday, 7pm
Friday, 12pm
Gabriola Community Hall (2200 South Rd, lower level):
Wednesday, 8am
Al-Anon
The group welcomes and gives comfort to families and friends of alcoholics.
Narcotics Anonymous
Meets Mondays at 7pm at the Gabriola Fellowship Church, 775 Church St.
People for a Healthy Community
Harm Reduction Supply
Mental Health & Social Work staff
Gabriola Outreach
Harm Reduction Supply
Peer Support
Naloxone (pronounced na-LOX-own) is a fast-acting medication used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, also called an opioid poisoning.