# University of Victoria drug checking services > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/university-of-victoria-drug-checking-services > Updated: 2026-09-14T17:00:00.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2. The University of Victoria has implemented a pop-up drug checking service to support students during the return to campus. Hosted by Doctors for Safer Drug Policy, the initiative provides free, legal, and confidential substance testing using a spectrometer to identify ingredients in unregulated substances such as powders, pills, and crystal meth. The service aims to mitigate risks associated with the toxic drug supply, particularly for the 19 to 29 age demographic, which has accounted for 15 per cent of all drug deaths since the public health emergency began in 2016. This harm-reduction effort follows the January 2024 death of 18-year-old student Sidney McIntyre-Starko, who died after consuming a substance believed to be cocaine that was later found to contain fentanyl. While the university pledged to improve campus safety and emergency response following an independent review, the University of Victoria Students' Society and other advocates continue to campaign for a permanent drug-checking site on campus. Lauren Airth, a postdoctoral fellow with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), noted that the goal of the service is to provide a ‘fingerprint of the drug’ so individuals are better prepared for the risks of the substances they consume. ## Claims - The most dangerous drug is one with unknown ingredients. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Sidney McIntyre-Starko died in January 2024 after consuming a substance containing fentanyl. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Doctors for Safer Drug Policy provided harm-reduction services at UVic during the first week of classes. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Personnel used a spectrometer to identify ingredients in unregulated substances. (corroborated by 4 sources) - UVic ordered an independent review following the death of a student in 2024. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: University of Victoria doctors provide drug-checking services Doctors for Safer Drug Policy are providing free, confidential drug-checking services at the University of Victoria to combat the toxic drug supply following a fatal overdose on campus in 2024. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-of-victoria-doctors-provide-drug-checking-services ### 2026-09-08: University of Victoria launches pop-up drug checking service The University of Victoria has launched a pop-up drug checking service to help students identify substances and combat the toxic drug crisis, amid calls for a permanent on-campus testing site. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-of-victoria-launches-pop-up-drug-checking-service --- Cite as: University of Victoria drug checking services. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/university-of-victoria-drug-checking-services