B.C. taking action after UVic student dies of drug poisoning, ministry says

The B.C. Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says it is listening to the calls of the parents of a teen who died from unregulated toxic drugs in a dorm at the University of Victoria.

Vancouver-born-and-raised Cailin Sidney McIntyire-Starko, known to her friends and family as Sidney, died after she and another UVic student collapsed in their dorm in January.

Last week, Sidney’s parents wrote an open letter to Premier David Eby, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and MLA Lisa Beare, saying their daughter would still be alive if 911 call takers, campus security, and the university had acted with the urgency needed to save her.

Sidney’s mother, Caroline McIntyre, an emergency physician, explains the teenager died from a “witnessed fentanyl overdose” that she says was preventable.

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says the toxic drug crisis is a heart-wrenching and complex issue. It says Sidney’s death has affected many people.

“First and foremost her family and friends. They are advocating for changes to prevent overdose deaths, and we are listening to those calls,” it said in a statement to CityNews.

Last week, Eby announced a coroner’s inquest will be held to get answers for her death. However, in the meantime, the province says the post-secondary minister will meet with universities and colleges this week to discuss what needs to be done to keep students safe on campus.

“We are in discussions to purchase nasal naloxone in larger quantities, which is easier to administer, and we are working on adding CPR training as a mandatory lesson in high schools,” the province said.

“We will continue to take action to save lives as we continue to listen and learn from front-line workers, experts, and families impacted by this terrible crisis.”

Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills tells CityNews in a statement that on Tuesday, May 21 morning she gathered 25 of B.C.’s post-secondary institutions to discuss what needs to be done to keep students safe.

“We agreed to work collaboratively to roll out post-secondary overdose prevention actions to be in place in campuses across B.C. for the Fall 2024 semester,” Beare said.

Beare says the work includes distribution and standards for training for naloxone, including nasal naloxone.

The work is in partnership with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and the BC Centre for Disease Control.

“Once guidelines are established, the committee will share those guidelines more broadly across the sector,” she said. “We are committed to working on all fronts to combat the toxic drug crisis and to keep post-secondary students safe on campus.”

-With files from Charlie Carey, Srushti Gangdev, Robyn Crawford and Cole Schisler.