(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

Reducing Toxic Drug Risks

Overdose prevention guidelines to help protect students at Okanagan College, other B.C. schools

Sep 3, 2024 | 2:03 PM

New guidelines are rolling out at post-secondary campuses across B.C., including the Okanagan College (OC) schools, to protect students and reduce the risks of toxic-drug poisonings.

The overdose prevention and response guidelines, developed by B.C.’s Post-Secondary Overdose Prevention and Response Steering Committee, will support public post-secondary institutions in implementing strategies to protect students and reduce the risks and harms of the toxic-drug crisis.

“Our post-secondary campuses should be a safe space for students, staff and faculty,” Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Lisa Beare said.

“That’s why the province has worked with the post-secondary sector to create new guidelines for toxic-drug overdose awareness and response for institutions to use to keep students, staff and faculty safe on campus.”

The guidelines include promoting awareness of local overdose prevention and treatment services; information on the Lifeguard and Brave apps; providing take-home naloxone kits and information about drug-checking services. It ensures students know they can call first responders for help without fear of academic repercussions; and improved overdose-response protocols and procedures by training campus security, staff and faculty.

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The full guidelines can be found at the B.C. Government website.

The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Addictions will also provide all universities, colleges and First Nations Mandated Institutes with nasal naloxone, which will be kept in student residences, social venues, and other areas on campus.

“The toxic-drug crisis continues to have a devastating impact on families and communities in B.C., and the impact on students has been heartbreaking,” Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside stated.

“Poisoned drugs have become incredibly toxic and more people than ever before are at risk of dying. We’re taking action to make sure students have the tools and knowledge they need to keep themselves and their peers safe in an emergency.”

All post-secondary institutions in the province are being provided with these resources, including the Okanagan College campuses.

“As we welcome learners back to campus and are excited to be supporting them in their programs and courses, we are at the same time committed to doing everything we can to ensure our whole community is safe and has access to help when they need it,” Dr. Neil Fassina, president of OC, stated.

“Okanagan College is opening new student housing in Vernon and Kelowna this fall – having naloxone cabinets, automated external defibrillators and enhanced first-aid protocols in those buildings and throughout our campuses, along with expanded training, awareness campaigns and other health and wellness resources – these are all critical components of collective efforts to prevent deaths and combat the toxic-drug crisis in this province.”