Overdose Prevention and Response Resources

Supporting the Health and Safety of Cambria College Students

Cambria College is committed to supporting the safety, dignity, and well-being of our students, staff, and community members. British Columbia continues to face a toxic drug crisis, and awareness, prevention, and rapid response can save lives.

This page provides important information about recognizing an overdose, what to do in an emergency, available supports, and how students can reduce risk and access help.

The Toxic Drug Crisis in British Columbia

Since 2016, British Columbia has been under a declared public health emergency due to drug poisoning deaths. Many overdoses involve unregulated substances containing fentanyl or similar synthetic opioids, which may appear in drugs that people do not expect to contain them, including stimulants and counterfeit medications.

Young adults aged 19 to 39 are among the groups most affected across the province. Awareness and early response remain critical to preventing serious harm.

Key facts:

Fentanyl has been detected in the majority of toxic drug deaths in B.C.
Even a very small amount can be fatal
Toxic contamination can occur in substances not normally associated with opioids
Many overdoses occur indoors, including private residences and shared spaces

No unregulated drug can be assumed safe.

If You Suspect an Overdose: Act Immediately 🚨

Call 9-1-1 right away. This is always the first step.

While waiting for emergency responders:

Try to wake the person by calling their name or gently shaking them
Check breathing
Give naloxone if available
Provide rescue breathing if trained
Stay with the person until help arrives

Naloxone can temporarily reverse opioid overdoses and is safe to use.

Recognizing Signs of an Overdose

Symptoms may include:

Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
Blue or gray lips or fingernails
Unresponsiveness or inability to wake
Gurgling or choking sounds
Very small pupils
Cold or clammy skin

If unsure, treat the situation as an overdose and call 9-1-1.

Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act Protections

Many people hesitate to call emergency services because they worry about legal consequences. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides protection from certain drug possession charges when:

you call 9-1-1
you stay at the scene
you help someone experiencing an overdose

Calling for help can save a life.

Naloxone Access in British Columbia

Take-home naloxone kits are available free of charge across B.C.

Students can obtain kits at:

community pharmacies
health units
overdose prevention sites
campus or community outreach programs

Training is quick and available online or in person.

Naloxone is safe and easy to administer.

Harm Reduction Tips to Lower Risk

If you or someone you know may use substances:

Avoid using alone
Start with a small amount
Carry naloxone
Use drug checking services when available
Avoid mixing substances
Tell someone you trust before use
Use virtual monitoring apps such as Lifeguard or Brave

These steps reduce risk but cannot eliminate it entirely.

Mental Health and Substance Use Supports

Support is available whether you are concerned about your own substance use or someone else’s.

Students can access:

Provincial Supports

HelpStartsHere
Mental health and substance use resources across B.C.
Opioid Treatment Access Line
1-833-804-8111
Toward the Heart
Naloxone training and toxic drug alerts
StopOverdoseBC
Education and prevention resources
First Nations Health Authority
Cultural and community-based wellness supports

If you are in immediate distress, call 9-1-1 or 988 (Suicide Crisis Helpline).

Toxic Drug Alerts and Real-Time Notifications 📱

Students are encouraged to sign up for local toxic drug alerts through:

Toward the Heart
regional health authority notifications
community harm reduction networks

These alerts warn about dangerous substances circulating locally.

Cambria College Commitment to Student Safety

Cambria College supports overdose prevention through:

awareness and education initiatives
promotion of naloxone availability
connection to community health services
encouragement of early help-seeking
stigma reduction around substance use and mental health

If an emergency occurs on campus:

Call 9-1-1 first.

Emergency responders must always be contacted immediately.

Indigenous Students and Cultural Safety

Cambria College recognizes that Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately impacted by the toxic drug crisis due to the ongoing effects of colonial policies and systemic barriers to care. We support culturally respectful approaches to wellness and encourage students to access Indigenous-led health services when appropriate.