Nanaimo Officers Get Trucks for Overdose Crisis

Community safety officers in Nanaimo have received new trucks equipped with crucial overdose prevention tools, bolstered by a federal investment exceeding $440,000. These officers, active since summer 2022, initially focused on social disorder but have seen their roles expand significantly due to the escalating toxic drug crisis, with overdose responses becoming a daily occurrence.

The newly outfitted trucks now carry automated external defibrillators (AEDs), naloxone, and oxygen, alongside special lights to signal to other emergency responders. This enhanced equipment and training have reportedly increased the officers' confidence in managing crises. By the end of October, the city reported that CSOs had administered over 1,200 doses of naloxone in 2024 alone.

Despite the program's efforts, some residents and outreach organizations express concerns, preferring funding be directed to shelters and direct outreach services. While the federal program restricted funding to municipalities, local non-profits highlight the urgent need for more shelter beds and support services, questioning the allocation of funds towards community safety officers as harm reduction efforts.