Substance use and overdose prevention

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 and unregulated supply of illicit drugs, remains a complex and evolving issue. Over the past eight years, more than 15,000 lives have been lost.

Raising awareness of the toxic drug supplies and responding quickly to suspected overdoses are critical actions to saving lives. In response to British Columbia’s toxic drug crisis, Vancouver Island University has implemented an Overdose Prevention and Response Plan. Our commitments include:

  • Increasing awareness of the dangers associated with BC's street drug supply, educating on how to recognize and respond to an overdose, and providing access to overdose prevention resources.
  • Maintaining naloxone kits on campus.
  • Offering overdose response training for staff and students.

Overdose awareness 

Do you know how to tell when someone is having an overdose? Look for these signs and symptoms (graphics below from the provincial government's Help Starts Here website):

pause button

Not moving, unresponsive

The person isn’t moving and can’t be woken up.

person with breathe coming out

Slow or no breathing

The person is breathing very slowly or not breathing at all.

graphic of person with mouth open, sounds coming out

Choking sounds

The person is making unusual sounds, like choking, gurgling, gasping of heavy snoring sounds.

graphic of eyeball

Tiny pupils

The person’s pupils look tiny.

picture of lips that are blue

Blue or grey lips

The person’s fingernails or lips are turning blue, grey or purple.

picture of snowflake and water drop

Cold and clammy

The person’s skin feels cold and clammy to the touch.

What to do if someone is having an overdose

If someone is having an overdose or showing any signs of over-intoxication, call 911 right away. If you are on campus, you can then contact Campus Security (available 24-7) at 250.740.6512.

Your positive action could save a life. The Good Samaritan Act protects people who call 911 about overdoses.

After calling 9‑1‑1, follow these SAVE-ME steps:

  • Stimulate: Try to wake the person. Call their name and squeeze their fingertips or the muscle between their neck and shoulder. If you can’t wake the person, or if you aren’t sure, call 911 right away. 
  • Airway check: Check if they are breathing normally and check for a pulse (heartbeat). Make sure the airway is clear and remove anything in their mouth. Tilt their head back and open their mouth. 
  • Ventilate: Help the person breathe by pinching their nose closed and breathing into their mouth once every five seconds. You can use a breathing mask if you have one. 
  • Evaluate: Are they breathing normally (1 breath every 5 seconds)? If not, get ready to use naloxone. 
  • Medication: Prepare a 1 mL (one millilitre) dose of naloxone. Your kit may include a nasal spray or an injectable liquid. Follow the steps to administer it. 
  • Evaluate again: If they are still not breathing normally (1 breath every 5 seconds), give another dose. Keep in mind that naloxone only works for a while. If the drugs are still in the person’s system when the naloxone wears off, they may go back into overdose and need another dose of naloxone.

Graphic courtesy of Toward the Heart: 

SAVE-ME graphic steps to respond written out above

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is a lifesaving treatment that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. However, its effects are short-lived, so it is crucial to call 911 and then Campus Security immediately after administering it, as further emergency medical care is necessary. Naloxone is safe to use and poses no risk, even if given to someone who is not experiencing an overdose.

VIU naloxone and automated external defibrillator (AED) stations

VIU has nine automatic external Defibrillator (AED) stations and 24 naloxone cabinets across the Nanaimo campus. The naloxone wall cabinets contain nasal spray naloxone, designed for easy use by untrained individuals. This user-friendly spray allows anyone to administer naloxone under the guidance of a 911 operator while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.

Below is a list of the locations of naloxone kits on the VIU campus. Use the interactive campus map to help you navigate to the various buildings. The nasal naloxone kits are stored in wall cabinets equipped with an alarm system that activates when the door is opened. In the event of an overdose, the alarm alerts individuals nearby, signaling an emergency situation.

  • Residence – Building 2, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Residence – Building 3, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Residence – Building 4, beside AED
  • Residence – Building 5, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Residence – Building 6, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Residence – Building 7, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Residence – Building 8, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Residence – Building 9, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Residence – Building 10, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Residence – Building 11, Main entrance, by the fire safety plan
  • Building 108 – Main entrance, beside AED
  • Building 164 – Front desk, south wall, beside AED
  • Building 170 – Shq'apthut, The Gathering Place – Connect with Lyn Clark at main entrance
  • Building 190 – South wall, next to bleachers, beside AED
  • Building 200 – Floor 3, Health & Wellness Centre waiting room, beside AED
  • Building 300 – Welcome Centre, beside AED
  • Building 305 – Floor 3, library commons, beside AED
  • Building 315 – Security Office, beside AED
  • Building 356 – Floor 2, atrium, beside AED
  • Building 380 – Floor 1, hallway, beside AED
  • Cowichan Campus – Welcome desk, main campus
  • Cowichan CTC – Hallway near hairdressing, beside AED
  • Deep Bay – Reception desk, beside AED
  • Tiwšɛmawtxʷ - TBD

Naloxone kits and harm reduction

  • All VIU security guards are trained in administering naloxone as part of their first aid training and will call 911 immediately. They carry naloxone at all times. 
  • In VIU Residences, the Community Leaders, which are on every floor of every building, are trained in administering naloxone. Each of them carries a naloxone kit on their person. There is also a kit at the front desk and front desk staff are also trained. In the event of an overdose, all staff and Community Leaders are taught the recovery position and to call security and then 911.  
  • There are also naloxone training sessions that are open to all students who live in residence. 
  • If you use or intend to use unregulated drugs, go slowly, pace yourself, and use around other people. Remember that no unregulated drug is safe and prescription medications should also be treated with caution.

Ways to stay safe

  • Sign up for Toxic Drug Alerts in your region by texting the word JOIN to 253787.

  • Download the Lifeguard Connect App (Apple App Store or Google Play Store). This app connects you with emergency responders if you or someone you know becomes unresponsive.

  • Carry naloxone and take a free online naloxone training course (see upcoming training sessions for in-person options)
  • Get your drugs checked for toxic substances.
    • Fentanyl test strips are available for free and anonymously at the VIU Health and Wellness Centre on the resource table in the waiting area
    • You can drop off samples in-person at the Canadian Mental Health Association office on Albert Street, or there are mail-in options. Learn more here.

Upcoming education sessions

  • When there are in-person training sessions on VIU campuses, they will be posted here. Also check out the VIU events calendar. 

Resources and Workshops