Oceanside Community Action Team

06/07/2026

Check out our OCAT team doing harm reduction training and outreach at today’s Errington Farmers Market. They’re there to talk about and teach you how to use Naloxone, because the life you save could be someone you love.

06/06/2026

Join Moms Stop The Harm Wednesday June 24th for a Tea & Talk conversation, with Leslie McBain, Ann Livingston and Jovonne Johnson.

06/01/2026

Save and share our Oceanside Resource Calendar for June. Of note, check out our harm reduction advocacy tables and Narcan training at local farmer markets June 6th and June 13th.

05/28/2026

Drug poisoning advisory in Nanaimo. Start low and go slow.

05/28/2026

Alcohol still ranks as the second deadliest drug in Canada (behind to***co), and the highest in terms of social, criminal justice, and financial costs, despite it being highly regulated, and "safe". Read more about the call for a stronger public-health approach to alcohol.

05/28/2026

“The toxic drug crisis affects everyone”. Thank you Dr Jill.

05/27/2026

https://housingrights.ca/waterloo-decision-could-change-everything-for-how-canada-addresses-homelessness/

Landmark Court Decision Could Change Everything For How Canada Addresses Homelessness
..Justice Gibson, in his decision on behalf of the Ontario Superior Court, writes: “The homeless are not Other. They are Us. They are rights bearers no less entitled than any other Canadian citizens to the full benefit and protection of the Charter.” ...

A national network dedicated to the progressive realization of the right to housing in Canada, and its meaningful implementation.

05/27/2026

A look at the North Island unregulated drug supply

Thanks AVI Education Team. Start low, go slow and please don't use alone. Have naloxone and when it's necessary, call 911.

05/26/2026

We have many wonderful outreach workers in the Oceanside area, thank you all for your compassionate work

Our Oceanside Outreach Worker recently shared a story that highlights how important consistent support can be for people facing complex challenges.

“One of the people I work with regularly has some significant health and financial barriers, so a lot of our work together is focused on helping him stay stable day to day. I help him access weekly food hampers, grocery gift cards, hygiene supplies, medication support, and transportation to appointments and other resources around the community.

Recently, he was dealing with a serious dental infection and was really stressed about how he was going to afford treatment. I was able to work with the Canadian Dental Care Plan to help get coverage in place, which took a huge financial burden off his shoulders. I’ll continue helping him with follow-up appointments and ongoing support."

A big part of outreach work is just continuing to show up. Sometimes people need help navigating systems, getting to appointments, or figuring out next steps. Building that trust and consistency can make all the difference.

05/22/2026

The costs of homelessness

Having somewhere to live – a home – is the foundation for human health

A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of 337 studies found that among unhoused people:

Death from cardiovascular disease was 244% higher in men, and 313% higher in women

Death from infectious disease was 283% higher in men, and 588% higher in women

Death from injury, poisoning, or external causes (violence) was 789% higher in men, 1872% higher in women.

Overall unhoused people experienced an increased risk of death of 788% in men and 1186% in women.

There is no evidence that policies that criminalize already destitute people do anything but harm.