Tri-Cities Community Action Team (TC CAT)
Bringing together local service providers, and community members, to create local partnerships, to respond to the toxic drug crisis. By breaking down stigmas around substance use and mental health through interactive education, connecting resources, creative visuals, empowerment, and opportunity.
Why the TC CAT Formed:
The substantial rise in drug-related overdoses and fatalities in British Columbia led Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall to declare a public health emergency on April 14, 2016. Initially termed the "Overdose" or "Opioid Crisis," this ongoing emergency has evolved into the "Toxic Drug Crisis" due to its impact extending beyond opioid users to encompass stimulant users and first-time experimenters.
In response, the provincial government initiated a series of strategic actions that were implemented through the Community Action Initiative, creating opportunities for local communities to address the crisis. The Tri-Cities Community Action Team was established in 2017 as part of this effort. The crisis has continued to escalate, necessitating a broader approach that acknowledges the diverse range of substances contributing to the ongoing public health emergency.
TC CAT in Action:
- Participating: in local community tables
Tri-Cities Youth Table, Homeless and Housing Task Group, ACCESS Youth Outreach Bus - Facilitating: in local workshops
Youth Pop-ups at local rec centers, SD43 PRO D day workshops and Coquitlam Public Library - Attending: local and neighboring community events
Learning and connecting as we go - Hosting: and managing multiple groups
- Steering Committee
hands-on team with dedicated individuals making the magic happen - Members Meeting
Supporting community and service providers sharing knowledge, trends, and opportunities within the Tri-Cities - Peer Group
A group of persons with lived and living experience with substance use. Creating hands-on projects and actions within the Tri-Cities
- Steering Committee
- Creating: giving power to voices through art
Ongoing projects, resources, and creative expressions
