Overdose prevention & harm reduction
Substance use is a reality in our province. And unfortunately British Columbia is in the midst of a toxic drug crisis.
The University of Victoria is not immune to this issue. Tragically, in January 2024, Sidney McIntyre-Starko—a first-year student living in residence—was exposed to toxic drugs and died in hospital (Read President’s statement).
The University of Victoria takes our role in educating our community about the toxic drug supply very seriously. We have work to do. It’s vital that everyone has the best information and resources available so that they can make safe choices for themselves and each other. We are committed to taking steps to make campus safer for everyone.
Safer use
Naloxone availability & training
If you use drugs, please don’t use alone.
We encourage you to seek training on the use of naloxone—it’s an effective treatment for drug overdose and can save lives. Make sure that naloxone is readily available and highly visible when using drugs.
Training (including free kits) is available through the University of Victoria’s Student Society (UVSS), in partnership with Student Wellness, and Toward the Heart. Or book a private appointment with a UVic nurse for training and a free naloxone kit. You can also pick up a free kit at the Harm Reduction Centre and Campus Pharmacy.
Drug testing
If you’re going to use drugs, please test them to make sure they’re as safe as possible. Drug checking services can determine a sample’s main active ingredients, fillers or cutting agents, any unexpected drugs, and the presence of fentanyl.
Learn how and where to test your drugs at substance.uvic.ca. Fentanyl testing strips are also available at the Harm Reduction Centre.
| OUR COMMITMENTS |
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| We will install opioid overdose emergency kits, which include nasal naloxone, in all residence common areas by mid-August 2024. These emergency kits will be easily accessible in visible public areas, and on every floor or lounge depending on building layouts. |
| We will provide training for all student residence-life staff on the use of overdose emergency kits. |
First aid & emergency response
If you or someone near you begins showing any signs of overdose or over-intoxication, please call 9-1-1.
Always call 9-1-1 first. If you’re on campus, you can then contact Campus Security at 250-721-7599.
| OUR COMMITMENTS |
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| We will implement a new Campus Security standard-operating procedure for contacting 9-1-1. |
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Campus Security Officers are trained in first aid. We will supplement this training with appropriate in-house programming to ensure best practices in responding to drug overdoses on campus. |
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We will review our protocols for emergency contact notifications. |
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We will work with emergency services providers and our municipal partners to develop a plan to assist emergency services in locating individuals in distress. This may include the use of a unique address for each building. |
Education & awareness
| OUR COMMITMENTS |
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We will provide education and awareness materials on the emergency-response boxes for all 3,000 students arriving in residence this September. |
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We will ensure all communications with incoming residence students (online, pre-arrival, and in-person orientation) and the Community Living Handbook are updated to include a new section on harm reduction and safety supports. |
Accountability & governance
In the face of BC’s toxic drug crisis, UVic has much work to do to keep our community safe. This effort must be coordinated and integrated across campus. It will include input from students, persons who use substances, researchers and faculty, senior leaders and staff, government and health authorities, community members, and more.
Our work will be informed by the BC Government’s Overdose Prevention and Response Steering Committee. We anticipate this committee will produce a list of guidelines for all post-secondary institutions in BC that will complement work already underway at UVic.
| OUR COMMITMENTS |
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At the president’s direction, we will conduct an external independent review to ensure that Sidney McIntyre-Starko’s tragic death catalyzes real change that will make campuses safer for students, staff and faculty, here at the University of Victoria and across our province. Independent Reviewer appointed to assess events surrounding tragic overdose death |
| We will appoint a Special Advisor to convene a panel of experts to provide evidence-based recommendations that will improve institutional systems, processes, communications, training and education with respect to overdose prevention and response. The full report from the Special Advisor will also include the report and recommendations of the independent reviewer and will be provided to the president in writing. |
Resources & support
- Student Wellness provides some helpful considerations to help inform your choices around substance use
- UVic Harm Reduction Centre aims to help UVic students to make more informed and safer choices around sex and substance use
- Naloxone training is offered through the UVSS and Toward the Heart
- Substance drug checking is available to help you check for toxic elements in your substances
- Toward the Heart provides links to safe injection resources, overdose support groups, naloxone training, toxic drug alerts and more
- HereToHelp has activities to help you think about your own substance use
- Substance Use Blood Alcohol Calculator is a tool to help you anticipate your blood alcohol content over the time you expect to drink
- Check Your Drinking helps users get a full picture of their alcohol consumption
- Help Starts Here is a mental health and addictions resource hub from the government of BC
Research impact
Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) is a network of individuals and groups dedicated to the study of substance use and addiction. They support community-wide efforts to promote health and reduce harm.
Co/Lab
The Collaborative Community Laboratory on Substance Use and Harm Reduction (Co/Lab) is a collaborative network for research and knowledge exchange that aims to promote health and health equity for people who use drugs and alcohol.
Substance Drug Checking
Substance drug checking is a team of chemists, social workers, computer scientists, pharmacists, and people who use drugs, partnering to provide and evaluate drug checking services in Victoria, British Columbia.
Related news
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