Overdose prevention and response
In 2016, the Province of British Columbia declared a public health emergency in response to a significant increase in drug-related overdoses and deaths. This toxic drug crisis, primarily driven by a highly potent unregulated supply of illicit drugs, remains a complex and evolving issue.
Douglas College Overdose Prevention and Response Plan
In May 2024, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills convened a Post-Secondary Overdose Prevention and Response Steering Committee to assess this evolving issue and its impact to British Columbia’s public post-secondary institutions. Recognizing the unique nature of post-secondary communities the steering committee produced a guideline, identifying three key objectives for the program including expanding awareness of the crisis, the emergency response and ensuring access to Naloxone, a medication that quickly reverses the affects of an overdose from opioids.
Douglas College has built its overdose prevention and response plan on existing frameworks, incorporating best practices.
Signs and symptoms of an overdose
- Cannot be woken up or is unresponsive
- Snoring sounds or coughing, gurgling, or choking sounds
- Pupils extremely small
- Discolouration of lips and nails (blue or grey)
- Cold or clammy skin
- Breathing slow or absent
Emergency response to an overdose
- IF YOU SUSPECT AN OVERDOSE CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY
- Follow the SAVE ME steps and administer naloxone
- Depending on the campus/site you are at get someone to contact security or first aid for further assistance and support.
Safer drug use tips
- Use drugs in the presence of others, stagger use with friends so someone can respond if needed
- If you are using substances that are unregulated, testing them can help determine if there are harmful or deadly contaminants that drugs may contain such as fentanyl
- Take a small amount, wait and see how it feels
- Mixing substances increases the risk of overdose (including alcohol and prescription drugs)
- Find local harm reduction services www.towardtheheart.com/site-finder
- Get your drugs checked www.fraserhealth.ca/drugchecking
- Carry naloxone and get trained on how to use it
Access to Naloxone
All BC residents can obtain naloxone kits, at no charge from participating local pharmacies. The College provides nasal naloxone (Narcan) at various location around its campuses and sites. Naloxone kits were added to the publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED) cabinets in March 2024 and later that year naloxone cabinets were installed in areas with high student traffic and gathering locations:
- All first aid kits
- Automated External Defibrillator Cabinets across all campuses and sites
- Naloxone cabinets across all campuses and sites
- Naloxone kits are available for sign out with first aid kits for off campus activities and events
Naloxone kit
Each naloxone kit contains:
- A CPR face shield
- Non-latex gloves
- ‘SAVE-ME’ instructions
- 2x Naloxone nasal spray
Education and training
The Safety, Security and Risk Management (SSRM) department along with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSCs) has partnered with the Douglas College Student Union (DSU) to provide Naloxone and Artificial External Defibrillator (AED) training at our campuses. The focus of these events is to provide the College community with education and knowledge surrounding the dangers of using opioids, reducing the stigma of drug use, how to administer Naloxone, and practice using an AED machine. SSRM can also deliver this education session for departments and programs across the College on request. The College acknowledges that with more members of our community trained in the administration of naloxone, the more likely they will be able to respond expediently as a bystander and save a life.
Good Samaritan Act
This Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose, whether it is the person experiencing the overdose or a witness so that they do not fear repercussions.