British Columbia updates overdose prevention guidelines for campuses

Public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia are implementing updated overdose prevention and response guidelines for the 2026-27 academic year. The initiative aims to strengthen safety measures and protections on campuses amidst the ongoing toxic-drug crisis.

The updated guidelines include expanded information on leading practices for educating campus security, faculty, and staff. They also provide enhanced operational guidance regarding emergency procedures, incident debriefings, and the management of nasal naloxone supplies. Additionally, the framework supports institutions in developing emergency contact notification protocols.

Developed by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the First Nations Health Authority, and the BC Centre for Disease Control, the guidelines follow an initial version released in 2024. The rollout coincides with a public awareness campaign designed to inform students on how to respond to overdose incidents.