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.
stimulants
Speed up body systems. Raise heart rate, body temp, energy and alertness.
Hallucinogens / Psychedelics
Alter perception, thoughts, emotions, and sensory experiences.
Mixed or combined substances
These may have stimulant, hallucinogenic and/or depressant effects — and are often used in social settings.
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:
- Call 911 and provide the dispatcher with relevant information
- NIC Campus Security: 1-250-334-7206
- Student Housing Phone: 1-250-207-2526
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988
- Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888
- KUU-US Indigenous Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
- Foundry BC: Youth focused wellness for ages 12–24
- Here2Talk: 1-877-857-3397
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.
- SUBSTANCES Toolkit
- Check Your Drugs (BC site)
- Calcoholator – Drink Calculator
- Overdose Prevention services
- Naloxone: injectable naloxone is available through the Take Home Naloxone Program. Nasal naloxone can be ordered at a cost through this site. Learn how to use injectable and nasal nalaxone through this video resource.
Self-help & off-campus resources
NIC is part of a wider community of care. These trusted resources are available throughout BC and online.
- Here to Help BC – Mental health & substance use information
- Help Starts Here BC – Government supports
- Toward the Heart – Overdose prevention & harm reduction
- FNHA – Indigenous-led harm reduction services
- Local Friendship Centres or Indigenous wellness organizations
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?
- Email studentlife@nic.bc.ca
- Contact NIC’s Counselling Services