Harm Reduction at NIC: Safer Choices, Stronger Communities

Our goals

This page reflects NIC’s commitment to:

  • Compassion, care, and inclusion
  • Supporting student health, wellness and success
  • Normalizing help-seeking and informed decision-making
  • Providing centralized, accessible education on substance use, health promotion, and overdose prevention
  • Creating an environment where students can build lifelong wellness, resilience, and self-awareness
What is harm reduction?

Harm reduction is a compassionate, evidence-based approach that supports people in making safer choices. It includes practical strategies to reduce risks from all types of substance use — including opioids, stimulants, alcohol, hallucinogens, and more.

Harm reduction at NIC also supports health promotion, empowering students with tools, knowledge, and supportive environments to strengthen mental, physical, and emotional wellness.

Whether you’re using substances, supporting someone who is, or just looking to learn more, we’re here to help you stay informed and connected to care.

Learn more at Here to Help BC

Know the substances: Understanding effects, risks & safer use

Substances affect everyone differently based on your body, health, mood, and context. Whether a substance is legal, illegal, or prescribed, understanding how it works and how to reduce harm is key.

Most substances fall into one or more of these categories:

Depressants

Slow down your brain and body. Can affect breathing, heart rate, and coordination.

  • Opioids: fentanyl, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, codeine, methadone
  • Benzodiazepines (benzos): Ativan, Xanax, Valium, Clonazepam, Etizolam
  • Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits)
  • GHB / GBL / “date rape” drugs
  • Pain relief, sedation, calmness
  • Risk of overdose due to slowed breathing
  • May cause memory loss or blackouts (especially when mixed)
  • Avoid mixing with other depressants (e.g., opioids + alcohol + benzos = high risk)
  • Use with someone you trust, and have naloxone available
  • Go slow, especially after a break in use
stimulants

Speed up body systems. Raise heart rate, body temp, energy and alertness.

  • Cocaine / Crack
  • Methamphetamine / Crystal Meth
  • Amphetamines: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta
  • Caffeine, nicotine, energy drinks
  • Increased energy, alertness, confidence
  • Can cause anxiety, agitation, or sleep problems
  • Overamping can lead to seizures, paranoia, overheating
  • Stay hydrated (but don’t overhydrate)
  • Create a calm, quiet space when “coming down”
  • Avoid using alone and watch for signs of overheating or chest pain

Hallucinogens / Psychedelics

Alter perception, thoughts, emotions, and sensory experiences.

  • Magic mushrooms (psilocybin)
  • LSD / Acid
  • Mescaline / Peyote
  • DMT, Ayahuasca
  • Visual or sensory distortions, deep thoughts
  • Euphoria or anxiety (“bad trips”)
  • May trigger mental health issues in some people
  • Use in a safe, calm environment
  • Have a trusted, sober support person (“trip sitter”)
  • Avoid if feeling mentally unwell or unstable
Mixed or combined substances

These may have stimulant, hallucinogenic and/or depressant effects — and are often used in social settings.

  • MDMA / Ecstasy / Molly
  • Ketamine (also a dissociative anesthetic)
  • Street drugs of unknown origin or pressed pills
  • Unregulated drugs with unknown combinations
  • Increased energy, empathy, euphoria
  • Dehydration, overheating, serotonin crash
  • Risk of unknown additives (e.g., fentanyl in pressed pills)
  • Test your substances using drug checking if available
  • Stay cool and hydrated — avoid dancing too long without breaks
  • Start low, go slow. Be cautious after a period of non-use (tolerance drop), with re-dosing or combining with alcohol or other drugs

At NIC, we promote both harm reduction and health literacy. Learning how to care for your body and make informed choices is an important part of student success.

Unregulated drug supply

Many substances sold on the street are contaminated or misrepresented. Even pills that look “pharmaceutical” may contain fentanyl, benzos, or other dangerous compounds.

  • Even “pharmaceutical” pills can contain fentanyl or benzos
  • Most drug poisonings involve more than one substance
  • Use drug checking services when available
  • Carry naloxone – it’s safe to use even if you’re not sure what was taken
Don’t use alone

Using a buddy system or virtual support services (like the Lifeguard App or National Overdose Response Service) can help save lives.

Recognizing and Responding to Drug Poisoning

Symptoms:

  • Slowed or no breathing
  • Unresponsiveness
  • Tiny pupils
  • Blue/grey skin
  • Seizures or overheating

Response:

  • Call 911
  • Give naloxone
  • Use SAVE ME steps
  • Use calm and caring language

Download a resource describing how to respond to an opioid poisoning.

Symptoms:

  • Fast heartbeat
  • Rigid limbs
  • Overheating
  • Seizures
  • Paranoia

Response:

  • Call 911
  • Create a calm environment, provide hydration and cooling
  • Offer medical help

There is no antidote for stimulant toxicity. Naloxone does not work for stimulants.

Download a resource describing how to respond to an incident of stimulant toxicity.

Symptoms:

  • Vomiting
  • Cold skin
  • Slow heart rate
  • Unresponsiveness

Response:

  • Call 911
  • Place person in recovery position
  • Stay with them
  • Most poisonings involve multiple substances
  • Response plans must address the combined effects
  • Naloxone may help in mixed poisonings if opioids are involved

Know you’re protected if you call 911: the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects you from charges when calling for help.

In Crisis or Need Immediate Help?

Help is available 24/7:

Your health, your safety: Support at NIC

NIC’s approach to harm reduction is grounded in health promotion, supporting your overall well-being through connection, compassion, and access to care. These are some of the supports available to you—no judgment, no pressure.

If you are not sure where to start or who to speak to, reach out to Early Assist.

If You’re Worried About Someone

You’re not alone. If you’re concerned about a friend, peer, or loved one, there are ways to support them. Reach out to support services at NIC, for example, Counselling or Early Assist.

Safer substance use resources

If you or someone you care about uses substances, these resources can help you reduce risks and stay safe.

Self-help & off-campus resources

NIC is part of a wider community of care. These trusted resources are available throughout BC and online.

Training opportunities

NIC encourages every student to build confidence and knowledge about wellness, consent, and safety. We offer training that supports both harm reduction and health promotion, empowering students to help themselves and their peers.

Learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose, support a peer in crisis, or build your awareness around substance use and wellness.

  • Get trained to use Naloxone: Learn More: Naloxone 101
  • Learn how to respond to disclosures of sexualized violence
  • Complete mental health first aid training
  • Participate in consent and substance use workshops

Email studentlife@nic.bc.ca to find out about upcoming training sessions.

Have Questions? Need to Talk?