There are many kinds of drugs and reasons why someone may use them. Using any substances comes with risks. These resources can help you understand drugs and other substances, how to reduce possible harms, and reflecting on your drug use.

Substance Use: The Basics

Types of Substances

Substance Use and You

The Wellness Journey

Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) has toll-free, 24-hour phone, counselling and referral service for young people. You can also connect by texting CONNECT to 686868, and chat confidentially with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder for support with any issue. If you would like to stop the conversation text STOP. 

Phone, text message and messaging over Facebook Messenger are available 24/7 so you can connect whenever and however you want. It's safe, private and non-judgmental.

Read more about what to expect when connecting with Kids Help Phone.

BC's Crisis Line 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) provides direct support if you, or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide. Services also include phone outreach and follow up support. The phone line is available in over 140 languages using a language service.

9-8-8 is a three-digit, national mental health crisis and suicide prevention helpline that provides urgent, live support by phone and text to people in every province and territory across the country.

If you are feeling like you have lost hope and are struggling to cope, if you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, or if you are worried about someone else, 9-8-8 is here for you. When you reach out, a trained responder will listen without judgement, provide support and understanding, and can tell you about resources that will help.

For more information, check out 988.ca

The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia.

KUU-US Crisis Line can be reached toll-free at 1-800-588-8717. Alternatively, individuals can call direct into the Youth Line at 250-723-2040.

Topics the KUU-US Crisis Line can support individuals with include, but are not limited to, mental health issues and crisis related to residential school, child welfare, addiction, health concerns, divorce and separation, suicide ideation and survivorship, grief and loss, crime, abuse, peer pressure and financial distress.​

QuitNow offers quit coaching and online resources to help you quit or reduce smoking or vaping. Quit Coaches provide guidance to help you get started and pick the quit tools that are right for you.

You can access a Quit Coach in two ways:

1. Call by phone
2. Live chat online

If you’re looking to quit or reduce vaping, check out QuitNow’s youth vaping mini-site at www.quitnow.ca/vape-free-quitting.

Counselling is available to anyone who is directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and other drug use. Call the 24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service to learn more:

• Lower Mainland: 604-660-9382
• Anywhere in B.C.: 1-800-663-1441

Foundry centres provide young people between the ages of 12 and 24, along with their families, free and confidential supportive health and wellness services to fit their unique needs. All centres offer 5 services: mental health, substance use support, peer support, medical services and social services in a youth-friendly space. FIND A CENTRE

Young people ages 12-24 and their caregivers can use the Foundry BC App to access scheduled or drop-in virtual services including counselling, peer support, medical services, substance use services, groups, employment services, Indigenous wellness services and browse our library of tools and resources.  GET SUPPORT ONLINE

If you do not have a phone or would prefer to use our website portal to access services, click here. If you have questions about any of these services please email online@foundrybc.ca.

Peer Support Workers are youth and caregivers who identify as having lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, and/or supporting youth with their mental health and/or substance use challenges. Peer support provides emotional support, acceptance, validation, and empathy regardless of circumstances. Peer support is available in Foundry centres across BC and through Foundry’s provincial virtual service.

All People, All Pathways™ are facilitated online peer group meetings for individuals questioning their relationship with substances. In these groups you will find a safe environment to ask questions, free from stigma or discrimination. Individuals seeking help or wanting to help others are welcome.

Meetings are available multiple days a week:

• Sunday: 4:30pm-5:30 PST
• Monday: 10am-11pm PST, 4:30pm-8:30pm PST
• Tuesday: 10am-11pm PST, 4:30pm-8:30pm PST
• Wednesday: 10am-11pm PST, 4:30pm-8:30pm PST

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The basic purpose of an AA meeting is for members to share their experience, strength and hope with each other concerning their problems with alcohol and their experiences in recovery.

The size and format of meetings vary. Some are small, with a few people sitting around a table or in comfy chairs, and a few are in large halls and may comprise upwards of 200 people. Most meetings are attended by around 15 to 50 people.

Anyone who wants to stop using drugs may become a member of Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Membership is not limited to addicts using any particular drug. Those who feel they may have a problem with drugs, legal or illegal, including alcohol, are welcome in NA. Recovery in NA focuses on the problem of addiction, not on any particular drug.

The basic premise of anonymity allows people to attend meetings without fear of legal or social repercussions. Members take part in NA meetings by talking about their experiences and recovery from drug addiction. Most NA meetings are held regularly at the same time and place each week, usually in a public facility. Meetings vary widely in format.

Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) has toll-free, 24-hour phone, counselling and referral service for young people. You can also connect by texting CONNECT to 686868, and chat confidentially with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder for support with any issue. If you would like to stop the conversation text STOP. 

Phone, text message and messaging over Facebook Messenger are available 24/7 so you can connect whenever and however you want. It's safe, private and non-judgmental.

Read more about what to expect when connecting with Kids Help Phone.

BC's Crisis Line 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) provides direct support if you, or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide. Services also include phone outreach and follow up support. The phone line is available in over 140 languages using a language service.

9-8-8 is a three-digit, national mental health crisis and suicide prevention helpline that provides urgent, live support by phone and text to people in every province and territory across the country.

If you are feeling like you have lost hope and are struggling to cope, if you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, or if you are worried about someone else, 9-8-8 is here for you. When you reach out, a trained responder will listen without judgement, provide support and understanding, and can tell you about resources that will help.

For more information, check out 988.ca

The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia.

KUU-US Crisis Line can be reached toll-free at 1-800-588-8717. Alternatively, individuals can call direct into the Youth Line at 250-723-2040.

Topics the KUU-US Crisis Line can support individuals with include, but are not limited to, mental health issues and crisis related to residential school, child welfare, addiction, health concerns, divorce and separation, suicide ideation and survivorship, grief and loss, crime, abuse, peer pressure and financial distress.​

QuitNow offers quit coaching and online resources to help you quit or reduce smoking or vaping. Quit Coaches provide guidance to help you get started and pick the quit tools that are right for you.

You can access a Quit Coach in two ways:

1. Call by phone
2. Live chat online

If you’re looking to quit or reduce vaping, check out QuitNow’s youth vaping mini-site at www.quitnow.ca/vape-free-quitting.

Counselling is available to anyone who is directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and other drug use. Call the 24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service to learn more:

• Lower Mainland: 604-660-9382
• Anywhere in B.C.: 1-800-663-1441

Foundry centres provide young people between the ages of 12 and 24, along with their families, free and confidential supportive health and wellness services to fit their unique needs. All centres offer 5 services: mental health, substance use support, peer support, medical services and social services in a youth-friendly space. FIND A CENTRE

Young people ages 12-24 and their caregivers can use the Foundry BC App to access scheduled or drop-in virtual services including counselling, peer support, medical services, substance use services, groups, employment services, Indigenous wellness services and browse our library of tools and resources.  GET SUPPORT ONLINE

If you do not have a phone or would prefer to use our website portal to access services, click here. If you have questions about any of these services please email online@foundrybc.ca.

Peer Support Workers are youth and caregivers who identify as having lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, and/or supporting youth with their mental health and/or substance use challenges. Peer support provides emotional support, acceptance, validation, and empathy regardless of circumstances. Peer support is available in Foundry centres across BC and through Foundry’s provincial virtual service.