Toxic Drug Response and Priority Populations

Toxic Drug Response and Priority Populations

Work with purpose

Join our Toxic Drug Response and Priority Populations (TDRPP) team

Use your specialized expertise to help deliver responsive health care by building connections and reducing barriers. 

At Fraser Health, we provide a range of programs, services and resources for people who use substances and are committed to providing compassionate, accessible care that promotes safety and wellness.

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Are you currently a Fraser Health employee? Browse and apply for jobs on the internal job portal.

Fraser Health's toxic drug response

Fraser Health’s toxic drug response efforts are a continuum of initiatives and services from preventing the onset of substance use, to treatment of substance use disorder. The TDRPP portfolio is focused on a harm reduction approach. 

Programs and services within the Toxic Drug Response sub-portfolio include:

  • Witnessed consumption services in the form of Overdose Prevention Services and Supervised Consumption Services across the region
  • Harm reduction supply distribution and community sharps management
  • Provision of harm reduction education and content expertise
  • Drug checking services
  • Community partner engagement and contract management
  • Peer engagement
  • Overdose Outreach Team: An outreach team connecting with adults to provide harm reduction supplies and services, as well as navigating community resources and support networks
Mobile crisis nurse with Fraser Health.
Fraser Health's IHART Team members posing for a photo.

Supporting priority populations within our health region

Housing is a key social determinant of health and there is a link between housing and health equity. Homelessness harms both physical and mental health and People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH).

We provide programs and services to these priority populations within our health region, which include people who are unhoused, at risk of being unhoused, or experiencing the effects of housing as a social determinant of health.

  • Integrated Homelessness Action Response Team (IHART): An interprofessional outreach team that provides low barrier, responsive, culturally safe, wrap-around outreach care to clients who are experiencing high rates of hospitalization and emergency room visits, have mental health and substance use challenges, are homeless, unsheltered, have no fixed address and/ or live in encampments.
  • Integrated Health Supports (IHS): A multidisciplinary team that provides physical health, mental health, system navigation and substance use support to clients receiving Supported Rent Supplement Program (SRSP). The outreach team works in partnership with non-profit partners to coordinate network of services to improve personal wellbeing to ensure clients transition to or remain in stable market housing.
  • Housing Consultants: Connection point between Fraser Health, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and BC Housing to develop housing opportunities, and bringing the health lens to discussions and planning.

You can make a difference in our communities.

Find your next job on our TDRPP team.

We have positions available in a variety of roles, specialties and functions.

Have questions? Contact our recruitment team.

  • Clinical nurse specialists
  • Clinical managers
  • Clinical nurse educators
  • Clinical coordinators
  • Clinical practice leads
  • Harm reduction lead
  • Housing Consultant
  • Outreach workers
  • Social workers
  • Admin support
  • Coordinators
Are you currently a Fraser Health employee? Browse and apply for jobs on the internal job portal.

Integrated Homelessness Action Response Team (IHART)

The Integrated Homelessness Action Response Team (IHART) is an outreach service that works with individuals who are experiencing homelessness while struggling with health needs.

IHART provides episodic care and facilitates short-term interventions for individuals in community. Our approach also serves as a bridge to longer-term services and healthcare programs, helping individuals transition into sustained care.

Additionally, IHART engages in general outreach efforts to identify and connect with the invisible population experiencing homelessness, seeking out those who have become disconnected from essential services. Through proactive engagement, we strive to rebuild relationships between vulnerable individuals and healthcare or community resources, ensuring they receive the support they need to move forward.

“I have found it’s a privilege to be able to support the people that we look after.

WATCH: Take a look inside the IHART team

“Fraser Health encourages self-care and gives me the tools I need to support my well-being.”
Jana
Overdose Outreach Worker
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“I love that I get to work with a diverse group of coworkers, clients, as well as different organizations and members of the community. We all come from all different backgrounds and bring our own cultures, strengths, shared circumstances and varying levels of experience in delivering compassionate care.”
Bailey
Overdose Outreach Worker
staff-testimonial
“I feel grateful that I get the opportunity to support individuals on their journey. Sometimes just being there to talk and offer a smile can make someone’s day.”
Josie
Overdose Outreach Worker
staff-testimonial

Hear what the team has to say about their experience working in TDRPP.