Toxic Drug Crisis
Knowing the signs of opioid poisoning and how to help in the case of a suspected overdose can prevent fatalities from the toxic drug supply.
Know the Signs of Opioid Poisoning
Someone may be experiencing an overdose if:
- They are not moving or are unresponsive
- They are not breathing or are breathing very slowly—less than one breath every five seconds
- They are making unusual sounds, like choking, gurgling, gasping or snoring
- They have tiny pupils
- Their fingernails or lips are turning blue, grey or purple
- Their skin feels cold and clammy
What to Do
- Call 911.
- Follow the SAVE ME steps:
- Stimulate: Check if the person is responsive.
- Airway: Check and make sure nothing is blocking the airway.
- Ventilate: Put on the mask, pinch the nose and give one breath every five seconds.
- Evaluate: Breathing normally? That's one breath every five seconds.
- Medication: Give one dose of naloxone.
- Evaluate and support: Keep giving breaths. Give another dose every three minutes until breathing normally.
Training
Every November, we offer informational events and naloxone training at all campuses. Check out our events page for dates and times.
For Your Class
If you are an instructor and would like to request naloxone training for your class, contact us.
For Your Department
If you are a department or program and would like to request naloxone training for your employees, contact us.
For Yourself
If you are a student or employee who would like naloxone training for personal emergency preparedness, access an online course through Toward the Heart.
If you are interested in advanced training, check out Vancouver Coastal Health’s Online Street Degree for Advanced Response.
Community Overdose Response
Community Naloxone Resources
You can access nasal and intramuscular (IM) naloxone at various community locations. Check out how to find a distributor.
Toxic Drug Alerts
Toward the Heart has a new drug alert service. You can sign up to receive anonymous toxic drug and health alerts by text. To sign up, text "JOIN" to 253787.
Safer Drug Use Tips
If you choose to use opioids, always get your drugs checked before use.
- Have a buddy
- Start low, go slow
- Have an overdose plan, carry naloxone
- Use one drug at a time
- Be aware of your health and tolerance
Drug Checking
ANKORS in Nelson, Castlegar, Trail and Grand Forks provides drug checking in the West Kootenay. To find out more, please contact the drug-checking technician.
Fentanyl Test Strip Distributions Sites
A fentanyl test strip (FTS) may detect fentanyl and some fentanyl analogues present in a substance sample. It is important to note that the strips only test for fentanyl and not for other overdose-causing agents. Search for a FTS distribution site near you.
Using Alone
Self-Monitoring Apps
The Lifeguard App is a free phone app that brings emergency responders to people who may be having an overdose on drugs while alone. It is provided in partnership with regional health authorities and Lifeguard Digital Health. The app is activated by the user before they take their dose. If the user doesn't hit a button after a set amount of time, a text-to-voice call will go to 9-1-1, alerting emergency medical dispatchers of a possible overdose.
Supervised Consumption/Overdose Prevention Sites
ANKORS in Nelson and Grand Forks hosts a supervised consumption/overdose prevention site that provides clean harm reduction supplies, a sterile room, and supervision for people to use their substance.
Mental Health and Substance Use Support Services
Campus Support
Mental Health Services
Book an online or in-person appointment with a counsellor for short-term mental health support or for community resources.
Emergency Services and Local Resources
Access links to emergency contact numbers and other mental health and substance use resources in the West Kootenay.
Treatment and Recovery Services
Help Starts Here
The Opioid Treatment Access line makes it faster and easier to access life-saving medication that prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces the risk of overdose, and to get connected to support that same day. Call 1-833-804-8111
Axis Family Resources
The Community-Based Withdrawal Management Program provides a holistic first step toward substance use recovery. Offered to adults in Castlegar, BC, the program uses a person‑centred approach to meet the unique needs of each individual in a safe, caring, culturally relevant, and non‑judgemental environment.
Most individuals remain in care for three to five days, though the length of stay may vary based on personal needs of the Person Served.
All services are evidence‑based and client‑directed, with a focus on building strength and resiliency. Supports include recovery planning, regular monitoring of withdrawal symptoms, medication management, peer support, counselling, and Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) when appropriate.
To access this service, contact Interior Health’s Access Central screening hub at 1‑866‑777‑1103.
Kootenay Boundary Supported Recovery Program
Kootenay Boundary Supported Recovery Program offers a supportive, substance-free accommodations for individuals 19+ seeking to change their relationship with substances. The program provides up to 6 months of stay with weekly sessions, daily group programming and optional recreational activities. It is designed for self-motivated individuals with prior recovery experience who are committed to abstaining from non-prescribed substances. Since 2017, they have focus on holistic, trauma-informed care and a harm reduction approach, offering support for those who experience relapse to re-engage with their recovery.
Treatment and Recovery Links
Legal Substance Use on Campus
We aim to create a campus culture that encourages employees and students to engage in healthy relationships with substances.
Recognizing that there may be a broad range of behaviours and patterns of substance use among employees and students, we seek to support dialogue and inquiry while regulating use on campus and at campus functions.
Cannabis and alcohol
The following recommendations are now in place regarding Selkirk College’s response cannabis legalization as of October 17, 2018:
- In keeping with Selkirk College policy statements about alcohol use, cannabis will be included in policies where needed using similar language as is used regarding alcohol except in the case of “Serving and Consumption of Alcohol” (Policy #4310). At this time, Selkirk College will not be serving or selling cannabis at any college functions.
- Rather than focusing on the substance itself, it is widely seen as less prescriptive and more in keeping with a health promotion perspective to focus on behaviours.
- Recognizing that the prohibition and policing of substance use is not only antithetical to the principles of health promotion and harm reduction, it is proposed that cannabis use be viewed in the same way as alcohol use in regards to student housing. Alcohol is permitted within dorm rooms for students who are of legal age but the sale and advertising of alcohol is policed. It is expected that the same rules will apply to cannabis, except for the location of use. Smoking/vaping is not permitted in dorm rooms, so the smoking and/or vaping of cannabis will only be permitted in designated smoking areas with the rationale that this is the student’s home, therefore they should be allowed to use legal substances as long as their use does not negatively impact fellow students.
- Since Selkirk College does not allow the consumption of alcohol in other areas adjacent to or within the college, cannabis will also not be permitted in these areas or in the designated smoking areas adjacent to the college proper. This differs from the use of tobacco in that cannabis is a psycho-active substance. All federal, provincial and municipal regulations regarding cannabis use must be adhered to on Selkirk College property and at all college functions.
- As a charter member of the 2015 Okanagan Charter: An international charter for health promoting universities and colleges, Selkirk College is committed to the promotion of health literacy. In relationship to cannabis use among Selkirk College employees and students, the college will strive to understand the campus culture within which substance use exists, provide educational initiatives to inform the college community, and engage in meaningful dialogue about substance use. Selkirk College will also provide resources to assist employees and students who may find themselves in an unhealthy relationship with cannabis.
- If medical use is required, Selkirk College will defer to the accommodation policy.
In response to cannabis legalization in Canada, Selkirk College has consulted with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) and with colleagues from across Canada and the United States at the recent Canadian Association of College & University Student Services (CACUSS) in Prince Edward Island.