Call on BC Universities to Amend Their Overdose Policies

Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in BC for people between the ages of 10 and 59. Preventable overdose deaths continue to exert a toll on university students and campuses. Non-academic disciplinary policies discourage students from calling for help when they or someone they know is experiencing an overdose. Every second someone spends questioning whether to call 911 for fear of getting in trouble increases the risk of irreparable harm.

The federal Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act was passed to encourage overdose reporting by shielding people who report or respond to an overdose from criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, these protections don't extend into the private sphere, meaning that universities and student residences are free to discipline students as they see fit for drug possession. Most universities in BC make it a non-academic offence to possess or consume illicit substances, with sanctions as severe as eviction from residence and expulsion from school. These policies create hesitation and fear, preventing students from looking out for themselves and their communities. We must do better.

We believe universities have a duty to protect and support their students in the event of an overdose. Therefore, we are calling on UBC and UVic leadership to:

1. Implement "Good Samaritan Overdose Policies" that would protect students from discipline for drug possession or consumption if they call 911 to report an overdose
2. Clearly and broadly communicate the policy change so that students understand the protections which are in place
3. Educate students and staff about the risks associated with the toxic drug supply and how to respond to an overdose

By signing this open letter, you will show university leadership that there is strong public support for aligning their approach to student discipline with Good Samaritan principles. When the harms of an overdose can be prevented, the focus needs to be on protecting students, not disciplining them.

We encourage you to view the full policy proposal.

If your organization wants to endorse our proposal, please contact UVic HARD Law or UBC Law Students for Decriminalization & Harm Reduction.

Consent notice: We are gathering signatures for the Good Samaritan Overdose Policy petition. By signing this petition, you are giving us consent to add your name to the open letter. Your first and last name will be added to the list of signatories on the open letter. The open letter will then be shared with UBC and UVic, who are subject to the statutory requirements under FOIPPA. If you wish to revoke consent, please contact UVic HARD Law or UBC Law Students for Decriminalization & Harm Reduction and we will remove your name from the open letter and our records

UBC Law Students for Decriminalization & Harm Reduction, and UVic HARD Law    Contact the author of the petition