A drug is any substance that alters someone’s mental, emotional, or physical state.
All substance use carries some risk, making it important to consider its short-term and long-term effects on your wellbeing as a student. When using substances that are not regulated, you will not know the exact contents without drug testing.
While not using substances altogether has the lowest risk, if you are using drugs, you can make a plan to reduce possible harms.
Fentanyl, an opioid, is a strong painkiller that is being mixed into the unregulated drug supply in Vancouver. A very small amount of fentanyl can be fatal. Fentanyl has been found in all illegal drugs. Benzodiazepines are also increasingly mixed into the drug supply. You can learn more about fentanyl and about benzodiazepines on the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health website.
If you use or intend to use unregulated drugs, consider the following:
Find out more by taking the SAVE lives: Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training Canvas course. If you want to request a workshop on this topic you can do so from UBC Wellness Centre and AMS Peer Support.
Test strips for drug checking can look for fentanyl in a small amount of a substance mixed in water.
Use the UBC Harm Reduction Resources List and Map to find out where you can pick up free and anonymous fentanyl test strips. You can also access the following UBC locations:
Drug testing provides life-saving information about the harmful and even deadly contaminants that drugs may contain, including fentanyl. Testing allows an individual to make informed decisions around using a substance because it informs individuals of the exact drug contents.
Find drug-testing services in British Columbia, including safer consumption sites and drug alerts.
Drug testing services are available at UBC Vancouver at the UBC Life Building. Check the UBC Wellness Centre Instagram for when the service is available.
Drug testing is done with an FTIR spectrometer and test strips to analyze any drug or substance. It is anonymous and free. Testing is provided by Get Your Drugs Tested.
If you, or someone you are with, needs to call emergency services to respond to accidental drug poisoning, even if you have any substances on you, you are protected by the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. In British Columbia, as of Jan 31, 2023, you may also be protected by the decriminalization exception. Under this exemption, individuals over 18 will not face criminal consequences for carrying under a combined total of 2.5 grams of certain illicit substances, including in instances of calling emergency services because of drug poisoning.
To learn more about the Good Samaritan Act, BC’s decriminalization exemption, and to find out how to respond to accidental drug poisoning, enrol in the SAVE Lives: Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training Canvas course.
Naloxone is a medication that reverses accidental drug poisoning from fentanyl and other opioids. Several UBC locations offer free naloxone kits or access to use naloxone in the event of drug poisoning.
Kits are free and anonymous for people who could experience accidental drug poisoning from the toxic drug supply in British Columbia, or those who might witness someone experiencing drug poisoning.
Drop-in fentanyl test strip and naloxone kit pick-up and training are available weekly at the Wellness Centre, Room 1400 in the UBC Life Building.
Training consists of going over the components of the kit, signs of opioid drug poisoning, and how to use the kit.
Drop by during opening hours and get training and a kit from the staff at the AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) on the third floor of the AMS Nest, to the right of the main elevators.
If you are looking for a naloxone kit immediately, you can take an online Naloxone training and/or pick up a kit at any BC pharmacy.
Using drugs, including alcohol, to deliberately create a situation in which a person is incapacitated (and therefore cannot give consent) in order to pursue sexual contact or attention is substance-facilitated sexual assault.
Find out what to do if you think someone may have done this to you, if you're trying to help others who may have experienced or could experience this, or if you think you or someone you know may have caused someone harm.
If you are curious about seeking help, consider the following questions:
If you wish to continue reflecting on your relationship with substances, you can find support options and more resources below.
The following websites and apps have been carefully chosen by health professionals at UBC. They’re easy and accessible tools you can use at any time, to help you learn more about substance use.
It might be easier to talk with a trained student about substance use. They may understand what you’re going through and can offer helpful resources.
If you think a health or mental health professional could help, here are some services available to you:
