BC’s Overdose Prevention, Response Committee Strengthening Protections For Students

A committee tasked with finding early actions to help students stay safe and reduce the risk and harms related to drug poisoning on campus says it’s making progress.

B.C.’s Post-Secondary Overdose Prevention and Response Steering Committee is tasked with reviewing existing policies, identifying gaps and recommending best practices in overdose prevention and response at all of B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions, to be in place and implemented on campuses across B.C. for the fall semester.

The steering committee includes representatives from post-secondary institutions, the First Nations Education Steering Committee, the BC Centre for Disease Control, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, the First Nations Health Authority, and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

The group says several actions have been identified that post-secondary institutions can start implementing immediately, which includes making it clear to students to call 911 first, and campus security second in the event of an emergency; expanding awareness of toxic drug alerts through real-time text messaging services.

The committee is also developing naloxone distribution guidelines that incorporate principles and best practices on the distribution and accessibility of naloxone on campus and in student housing.

The Province is ordering the nasal naloxone that will be distributed to the 25 public post-secondary institutions.

In addition, the steering committee is examining additional actions to improve overdose prevention and response, including training guidelines for campus security personnel, and communication guidelines on notifying next of kin.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.