Space for soused students expands to include cannabis
University of Calgary students in need of a secure spot to come down from a legal cannabis high will be able to find a safe berth next to those trying to recover from an on-campus bender.
In January, the school opened its first Post Alcohol Support Space (PASS), a room in the Cascade Hall students’ residence where those who’ve imbibed one too many can go to sober up safely, with everything from beds to medical resources at hand.
Those taking advantage of PASS can do so without fear of their parents or professors being informed of their visit or of having it noted on any academic record. They can choose to stay overnight, be discharged, sent to hospital, or sent home with a responsible adult.
With the federal government set to legalize cannabis in just over a month’s time, the service is aiming to expand to include cannabis, the once illicit substance that can pack a particularly potent punch when combined with booze.
“We know that combining alcohol and cannabis will compound their effects, which some might not be prepared for,” said Debbie Buckner, the U of C’s senior director of student wellness.
“We know telling someone not to take a substance doesn’t work. It’s about educating people.”
The room is currently available on Thursdays (generally the busiest night of the week for on-campus revelry) and during special events like Bermuda Shorts Day in April, which marks the end of classes.
Buckner said the program began in response to a combination of reports from campus security of students being sent to hospitals with alcohol intoxication as well as input from the student medical response team, which now refers students who’ve had too much to drink to the PASS room, which is not accessible to the general public without a referral.
In its first semester of existence, Buckner said eight students were taken to it, with all but two opting to use the room to sober up.
In some cases, students were determined to have consumed both alcohol and cannabis, prompting the program to alter its original mandate, which had barred those who had taken substances beyond booze. Consumption of cannabis will become legal on Oct. 17, prompting PASS to formally expand its scope to include it this fall.
“When alcohol intoxication is mixed with cannabis, even in edible form, it dangerously increases the risk of vomiting and aspirating, passing out somewhere unsafe, mood variability and motor impairment,” said Linda Hastie, a nurse and manager at the SU Wellness Centre.
“It’s important for people to know the PASS is there if they’re feeling out of control or unsafe
It’s important for people to know the PASS is there if they’re feeling out of control or unsafe — even if they’re just unsure how to get home.
— even if they’re just unsure how to get home.”
Buckner said they’re slowly delivering their message of harm reduction to the campus community, and will notify students electronically and with lawn signs advertising the service, which when it’s open remains available from 10 a.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning.
“This shows we are taking care of our campus community,” she said.