On- and off-campus services to help you stay safe this Halloween
Photo by Nikki Frazer.
In 2016, former B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall declared a public health emergency in response to toxic drug overdoses. Since April 2016, more than 16 000 British Columbians have died as a result of unregulated toxic drugs.
On July 31, 2025, the BC Coroners Service released a report on unregulated drug toxicity deaths. The report shows fentanyl was found in 70 per cent of deaths from unregulated drug overdoses, and that the detection of carfentanil — a synthetic opioid described as “approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl” — had increased.
In January 2025, the RCMP warned residents of B.C.’s interior to be cautious after receiving reports of alleged drink spiking. Two months later, RCMP warned residents of Nanaimo of the same issue, following several instances of alleged drink spiking in nightclubs.
Drink spiking and toxic drug supply remains a pervasive issue in Victoria and at UVic, too. Fortunately, Victoria has several resources available to help protect you and your friends from toxic drugs and other risks while partying and enjoying the city’s nightlife — including a number of resources available on campus.
Substance Drug Checking
Substance — a free drug-checking facility associated with UVic, with an emphasis on social justice and harm reduction — offers on the spot drug screenings, which can detect the presence of unexpected drugs, such as fentanyl, in as little as 30 minutes. Substance is located at 1802 Cook Street. The Substance website also has a directory for other drug testing and harm reduction facilities in Port Alberni, the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Duncan, and Port Hardy.
Substance also has info sheets both on common recreational drugs — such as mushrooms, MDMA, and LSD — as well as on common pollutants, like GHB and fentanyl.
Naloxone Training
The UVSS also offers “Safer Use” workshops, which offer free naloxone training and free naloxone kits. These workshops are open to everyone, with sessions run both in person and virtually.
Naloxone training can also be obtained for free at https://towardtheheart.com/naloxone-course, which provides a self-paced course that takes approximately one hour to complete. Free naloxone kits can be picked up at UVic’s student volunteer-run Harm Reduction Centre and the UVic campus Heart Pharmacy.
Good Night Out
Alex Kierstead, the Regional Lead for Good Night Out — a B.C.-based non-profit focused on improving safety through sexual violence prevention — sat down with the Martlet to discuss how to reduce harm and promote safer nights out.
Kierstead said that, while advice like “cover your drink” or “stay with friends” comes from a place of care, attention should also be paid to red-flag behaviours that may signal someone has predatory intentions. Things such as pressuring people to drink, jokes about getting people drunk to hook up with them, or showing entitlement to sex, are all signs to look out for.
Good Night Out has a “street team,” which goes out on Friday and Saturday nights between 11:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., and are identifiable by their bright pink “here to help” hoodies. The street team carries supplies like earplugs, condoms, lube, naloxone, and pamphlets for local resources including emergency numbers, to share with those in need.
Kierstead recommends creating a safety plan before a night out — including assigning a designated driver, designating a meeting spot in case you get separated from your group, and checking in with yourself and your friends to assess how everyone is feeling.
In anticipation of Halloween parties on UVic’s campus, Good Night Out will be here on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
AVI
Victoria is also home to AVI Health and Community Services, which offers harm reduction resources such as naloxone training and distribution, educational support for safer drug use, and overdose prevention sites. AVI also has a mobile crisis response team, which is available seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. The AVI mobile crisis response team can be reached at 250-818-2454.
AVP
The University of Victoria’s Anti-Violence Project (AVP) also has support services, including in-person and phone support, an online list of emergency resources, such as crisis lines, and a list of both on-campus supports, which includes information on peer support centres, and equity and human rights support. AVP also offers off-campus support, which includes legal resources and sexual health resources.
VSAC
The Victoria Sexual Assault Center (VSAC) has an access line, available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 259-383-3232, as well as resources for finding medical care and counselling.
As B.C. continues to face a toxic drug crisis nearly a decade after it was first declared a public health emergency, staying safe while partying or using substances has never been more important. Whether it’s checking your drugs for toxic pollutants, or looking out for one another on a night out, small choices can save lives. The resources available in Victoria and at UVic are here to help you and your friends party safely and without judgement. Take precautions and look out for each other to help reduce harm and keep yourself and your friends safe.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated Good Night Out would be on campus from 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 1 a.m. on Nov. 1. It has since been updated to accurately reflect the time that they will be on campus on both nights, not just one.
