Poison Control

The BC Drug and Poison Information Centre website is NOT a substitute for talking with a trained Poison Specialist.

If someone is unconscious, having a seizure, difficulty breathing or chest pain, immediately call 9-1-1.

(Telephone interpreting in over 150 languages available)

The BC Poison Control Centre receives over 26,000 telephone calls each year about someone being poisoned. These include accidental and purposeful poisonings, and overdoses.

Poisoning is among the top 3 causes of death from injury in adults, after suicide and ahead of motor vehicle crashes (see the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit website). Unintentional poisonings cost British Columbians about $216 million annually in both direct and indirect costs (for example: hospitalization, work loss).

Many poisonings can be prevented. It only takes a minute to learn about how to prevent a poisoning and what to do if it happens.