Provincial guidelines on overdose prevention and response
The Province of British Columbia provides guidelines for post-secondary institutions on overdose prevention and response. The guidelines help ensure that all BC campuses are equipped to address and respond to the toxic drug crisis.
UVic’s overdose prevention and response efforts align with the BC’s guidelines for post-secondary institutions. There is more work to do. The university continues to enhance measures aimed at supporting the well-being of our community.
Overdose awareness guidelines
Harm reduction and toxic drug crisis information is included in:
- Orientation
- Residence move-in
- Pre-arrival communications for new students
- Residence Services’s Community Living Handbook
- Campus tours
- New Student Essentials videos
- In-person training on overdose emergency kits and harm reduction strategies is provided to residence-life staff.
- All residence students and staff receive a direct email with key harm reduction and safety updates, including naloxone box locations, training opportunities, AED locations, overdose awareness, and community safety messaging.
- A "Be Safe and Responsible" message is provided to students on major social events like Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day.
- UVic has promoted Toward the Heart’s online harm reduction resources since September through the various campus tools.
The university has developed a protocol for disseminating toxic drug alerts campus-wide. Communications include links to .
UVic actively communicates the risks of the toxic drug supply through educational initiatives and various platforms, integrating harm reduction messaging into all prevention efforts. An email is sent before major social events to reinforce safety.
The student-run Harm Reduction Centre (HRC) provides resources to help students make informed and safer choices regarding substance use and sexual health. It offers easy access to harm reduction supplies and educational materials, including information on the Good Samaritan Act, decriminalization, and overdose prevention, through its website and campus outreach initiatives.
Overdose response guidelines
Campus Security’s Standard Operating Procedure and messaging across campus has been updated to ensure 9-1-1 is the first call made in emergency situations.
- UVic reviewed and is updating emergency response protocols which included new building signage, location awareness, and emergency contact revisions.
- The university worked with emergency service providers and municipal partners to improve location data sharing and emergency wayfinding on the UVic campus.
- All active full-time and casual Campus Security Officers have completed a Basic Life Support course, oxygen therapy endorsement, and naloxone training.
- Security Officers carry nasal Naloxone.
- First aid kits have been upgraded to include oxygen tanks and mask.
- Campus Security hired a new community safety and training specialist.
UVic has expanded naloxone availability across campus, co-locating AEDs and naloxone emergency kits. These are clearly labeled and placed in high-traffic areas.