A shocking new report reveals that the University of Victoria (UVic) staff may have failed to provide the essential medical intervention that could have saved the life of 18-year-old Sidney McIntyre-Starko, a first-year student who tragically died from a fentanyl overdose on campus earlier this year. This critical assessment, authored by Bob Rich, a retired police chief and lawyer, has raised significant concerns about the university’s emergency response protocols during medical crises.

On January 23, 2024, Sidney collapsed inside a residence at UVic, falling victim to the ongoing opioid crisis that has devastated communities in British Columbia and across Canada. The report states that a lack of coordinated and timely action during this medical emergency likely contributed to her death. "Sidney, her family, the other students who overdosed, and the students who tried to help, were not properly cared for that night," Rich stated in his findings.

The investigation stemmed from various concerns raised by Sidney’s family and the provincial post-secondary minister, which were extensively documented in previous media coverage. Rich conducted interviews with more than 50 individuals over a six-month span to gather a comprehensive picture of events surrounding the incident.

Alarmingly, details from the report indicate that during the emergency, the necessary overdose reversal medication, naloxone, was not readily accessible to students, leading to unnecessary delays in treatment. Campus security personnel reportedly waited far too long to administer naloxone, while the 911 operator hesitated to advise on using the lifesaving drug or initiating CPR.

In response to the report, UVic President Kevin Hall acknowledged the findings and emphasized the importance of reform to ensure such a tragedy does not occur again. While he expressed commitment to implementing 18 recommendations aimed at enhancing student safety and emergency response, he did not provide specifics on the timeline for these necessary changes.

The university has taken some initial steps since Sidney's death, adopting measures to reduce the risk of overdoses and improve the speed and effectiveness of first response protocols on campus. However, experts like Rich emphasize that much more remains to be done to safeguard students amid British Columbia's ongoing overdose crisis.

In light of this tragedy, reflections on the necessity of high-availability naloxone access and comprehensive training for campus staff remain paramount as universities across Canada grapple with rising overdose fatalities. "Sidney's death must lead to meaningful and lasting change," Hall stated.

The devastating reality of the opioid crisis continues to be felt across North America, where similar incidents highlight a pressing need for systemic improvements in emergency medical responses on college campuses. The UVic community and others are now calling for immediate action to protect students' health and well-being.