Health Authority Expands Harm Reduction Efforts Ahead of Major Surrey Music Festival
SURREY, B.C. — As summer festivals and outdoor events draw thousands of attendees across British Columbia, Fraser Health is encouraging residents to take steps to protect their health, including accessing free drug checking services, staying hydrated and carrying naloxone when attending large gatherings.
The health authority is highlighting a range of safety measures ahead of a busy season of concerts, festivals and community celebrations, with a particular focus on reducing the risks associated with the province’s ongoing toxic drug crisis.
Fraser Health says drug checking remains one of the most effective harm reduction tools available, allowing people to better understand the contents of substances and reduce the risk of toxic drug poisoning and other drug-related harms. The service is free, confidential and available to anyone who chooses to use it.
For the third consecutive year, Fraser Health will operate a pop-up drug checking service at FVDED In The Park, one of Metro Vancouver’s largest music festivals. The event is expected to attract thousands of attendees to Surrey’s Holland Park on July 3 and 4.
A dedicated drug-checking and information tent will be located on the west side of the park, outside the festival grounds, and will operate from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on both days. Health officials say the service is intended to provide festivalgoers with accessible information about substances and help reduce potential harms.
Officials Warn of Unpredictable Drug Supply
Health authorities continue to warn that the illegal drug supply remains unpredictable and can change over time, even when substances appear to come from the same source.
“Drug checking is an important harm reduction service that gives people information about what may be in their drugs,” explains Dr. Emily Newhouse, Fraser Health Medical Directorand Medical Health Officer, Population and Public Health. “Whether you’re attending a festival, concert, camping trip or other summer event, if you’re using substances, we encourage people to get their drugs checked. The drug supply is unpredictable and can change over time, even from the same source.”
The warning comes as public health officials continue efforts to reduce toxic drug poisonings across the province through education, prevention and harm reduction initiatives.
Fraser Health noted that while festivals and outdoor events offer opportunities for recreation and social connection, they can also create health risks, particularly during periods of hot weather. Dehydration, heat-related illnesses and substance-related emergencies are among the concerns commonly seen during large summer gatherings.
Simple Precautions Can Reduce Health Risks
To help festival attendees stay safe, Fraser Health recommends taking several practical precautions before and during events.
Staying hydrated is among the most important measures, particularly during extended periods outdoors. Officials encourage people to drink water regularly throughout the day, eat meals and snacks consistently, seek shade or cooler areas when needed, and wear sunscreen, sunglasses and weather-appropriate clothing. Non-alcoholic beverages are recommended as the best option for maintaining hydration, while those consuming alcohol are advised to alternate alcoholic drinks with water.
Fraser Health is also urging attendees to plan ahead by attending events with friends or a trusted companion, familiarizing themselves with the locations of water stations, first aid services and exits, and arranging transportation home in advance.
Beyond physical safety, the health authority is encouraging people to pay attention to their overall well-being by protecting their hearing, practising safer sex and consent, and bringing essential items such as medications, identification and comfortable footwear.
Naloxone and Drug Checking Remain Key Safety Tools
For people who choose to use substances, Fraser Health says drug checking services can play an important role in reducing risks. Officials are encouraging residents to make use of available services whenever possible and to carry naloxone, a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
The health authority also encourages individuals to familiarize themselves with the signs of a toxic drug event and be prepared to respond in an emergency.
Drug checking services are available year-round throughout the Fraser Health region, providing residents with ongoing access to harm reduction resources beyond the summer festival season.
Supporting Communities Across the Fraser Region
Fraser Health delivers hospital and community-based services across one of Canada’s fastest-growing regions through a workforce of more than 50,000 staff, medical professionals and volunteers.
The organization acknowledges that it provides care on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and serves communities that include 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region. Fraser Health also states its commitment to serving First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples throughout the region.
As summer celebrations continue across British Columbia, health officials say preparation, awareness and access to services can help ensure residents enjoy events safely while reducing preventable health risks.