Many substances, legal and prohibited, can become severe health hazards when used in excess. Many university students may come into contact with these substances and be pressured into using them. It is important for all students to be educated on their personal limits, safe usage, various risks, and spotting overdoses. By following safe usage tools and low-risk guidelines, users can begin to consume various substances in a safer manner reducing risk of overdoses, dependence and death.
Expandable List
The McMaster University Alcohol Policy ensures the responsible management of alcoholic beverages being served on campus or during sanctioned university events.
How can we reduce or stop drinking? In university culture, binge drinking is particularly popular and can result in a number of health concerns. There are also many strategies and tools that can help us reduce or stop our use of alcohol:
- Understand how much alcohol is too much with Canada’s Low Risk Drinking Guidelines
- Anticipate or be prepared for situations that may tempt you to drink
- Reduce stress with other healthy coping strategies
- Use the Self-Awareness Booklet to create a healthier lifestyle
Cannabis, similar to other substances, can pose a number of health risks.
At any age, cannabis can affect the way that the brain functions. This can impact your attention, memory, and learning.
- Learn more about the short-term and long-term health effects of cannabis use
- How does cannabis affect your body?
- Take a look at evidence-based research by McMaster’s own researchers at the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research
The most common addiction in Canada is tobacco. Smoking kills, but quitting is possible!
- Learn about McMaster University’s Smoke-Free Campus Policy
- Protect you and your loved ones by understanding the dangers of second hand smoke
- Join QuitNet, a free resource for quitting smoking
Other Resources
- Leave The Pack Behind is a tobacco control program that offers individuals 18 – 29 years of age smoking and quitting information, personalized support, and quitting resources – all for free. It is funded by the government of Ontario.
- Visit us at the Student Wellness Centre for appointment to see a physician for your free Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
- Smoker’s Helpline: for news, tips, and to be in touch with those who have quit, are trying to quit, or are supporting others. They are also on Twitter!
- Hamilton Public Health offers a Tobacco Hotline (905-540-5566)
According to the Federal Government of Canada, opioid overdoses have become increasingly common in Canada with an estimated 4000+ deaths in 2017 alone. Just a few grains of salt worth of fentanyl can be enough to kill someone when ingested or injected.
- Learn to recognize and reverse an opioid overdose
- Learn how to use naloxone and get a free kit
- Why is fentanyl toxic?
Naloxone can be used to temporarily reverse an opioid overdose until medical emergency services arrive.
Naloxone kits are available without a prescription at local pharmacies, including: King Medical Pharmacy, McMaster Health Campus Pharmacy, McMaster University Centre Pharmasave (in MUSC), Metro Pharmacy, all Shoppers Drug Marts, Whitney Plaza Pharmacy. EFRT responders also carry naloxone.