The University of Victoria’s president says he acknowledges there were “mistakes made” in the response to a student’s overdose.
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.
In May, 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.
UVic President Kevin Hall says after reviewing the timeline put forward by Sidney’s parents — which includes ambulance records and 911 call records — there were errors on the night of the 18-year-old’s death.
“Were there mistakes made? Absolutely. But what I just want to assure everybody is the people who respond to these events never go into this saying, ‘I’m going to do my my worst.’ They always go in trying to do their best,” said Hall.
At a university senate meeting Friday, Hall said the school is still reviewing the timelines and learning from McIntyire-Starko’s death.
The B.C. 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,” the Ministry said in a statement to CityNews.
Last month, Premier David Eby announced a coroner’s inquest will be held to get answers for her death. Since then, the province reportedly met with universities and colleges to discuss what needs to be done to keep students safe on campus.
“Why don’t we have nasal Naloxone on the floors? Why don’t we do training for floor dons and things like that? Those are all questions that we’re trying to get to the heart of,” said Hall Friday.
Hall says the university will actively participate in the coroner’s inquest.
—With files from Aastha Pandey-Kanaan