Harm Reduction and Safer Use

Choosing not to use substances carries the lowest risk of harm. If you do choose to use drugs, there are some steps you can take to reduce possible harms:

• Use in the presence of others and stagger use (1 person uses, then the next – not everyone at the same time).
• Minimize mixing substances and start with a small amount to see how it makes you feel.  
• Visit a drug testing site to get your drugs tested before use.
  • If you are using substances that are unregulated, testing drugs can help you know if there are harmful or deadly contaminants that drugs may contain, like fentanyl.
• Use fentanyl test strips to check your drugs for fentanyl.
  • Test strips are available for free at BCIT at the following locations:
    • Burnaby campus: Student Health Services (SE16, Room 127)
• Sign up for drug alerts to find out about the drug supply near you.  
  • • Text JOIN to 253787 or visit Toward the Heart to sign up

• Carry naloxone and get trained on how to use it. Naloxone kits are free in BC and can be picked up without a prescription at a site near you or at certain BCIT locations (see below).
• Download the Lifeguard app to be connected to emergency responders if you become unresponsive while using drugs.
• Discuss safety and overdose response openly and proactively, without judgment. This approach can make a critical difference in emergency situations and foster an inclusive and non-judgmental environment.

Learn more at RespondToOverdose.gov.bc.ca.

Access to Naloxone at BCIT:

Naloxone is a medication that reverses opioid drug poisoning from fentanyl and other opioids.

Two types of naloxone are available at BCIT: nasal and intramuscular.

Nasal naloxone

Nasal naloxone, or Narcan, is administered via the nostril, and is available across BCIT campuses in:

• All First Aid Kits and in designated naloxone cabinets located next to Automated External Defibrillator (AED) stations across BCIT campuses.
  • BCIT Burnaby campus map of nasal naloxone
  • List of all nasal naloxone locations (PDF)
• Student Housing: Naloxone cabinets are located in either living rooms or common areas within all BCIT Student Housing, including both the Townhouses and Tall Timber.
• Each kit contains 2 doses of naloxone.
• Learn how to use nasal naloxone.

Campus Security and First Aid personnel are trained and equipped to administer naloxone. In some cases, they may administer intramuscular naloxone, which is given via needle into the muscle.

Intramuscular naloxone

• Free take-home naloxone kits (intramuscular) are available to the BCIT community during operating hours at the following locations.
  • All campuses: Campus Security front desks
  • Burnaby campus: Recreation Services front desk (SE16); Student Health Services lobby (SE16, Room 127)
• For more immediate access, naloxone kits can be picked up from any BC pharmacy. 
• To ensure you’re prepared for an overdose emergency, we encourage all students to complete an online Naloxone training (1 hour).
• Faculty / Staff groups can request a naloxone training workshop where everyone is trained and can take home free a naloxone kit.