The Ciernia Lab strongly believes in sharing our science with everyone and inspiring young aspiring scientists from all backgrounds.
Ciernia Lab members are now Naloxone trained! Gurkirat Singh Nijjar, our undergrad trainee and founder of Students Overcoming Substance Use Disorder and Addictions Society of Canada (Team SOUDA), provided drug poisoning response and prevention training.
During our session, we covered:
- Drug Poisoning Crisis in BC: Current situation and its impact.
- Illicit Drugs in Vancouver: Focus on fentanyl.
- Drug Poisoning Response and Prevention Training:
- Recognizing signs and symptoms of an opioid poisoning.
- Practical skills: Clearing airways, recovery position, CPR.
- Naloxone Administration: Hands-on demonstration and practice.
- Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act: Overview.
This training is especially important given the current drug toxicity crisis in BC. It is crucial for everyone to learn how to use Naloxone and provide first aid.
We dedicated this session to Sidney McIntyre-Starko, an 18-year-old University of Victoria student who died in January from fentanyl poisoning. Her death was tragic and preventable. Sidney’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of being prepared to respond to overdoses.
Each participant received a free Naloxone kit and mental health resources, emphasizing the need for everyone to be ready to save lives.
If you would like to get Naloxone training, here are some organizations to ask from:
We dedicated this session to Sidney McIntyre-Starko, an 18-year-old University of Victoria student who died in January from fentanyl poisoning. Her death was tragic and preventable. Sidney’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of being prepared to respond to overdoses.
Each participant received a free Naloxone kit and mental health resources, emphasizing the need for everyone to be ready to save lives.
If you would like to get Naloxone training, here are some organizations to ask from:
- Students Overcoming Substance Use Disorder and Addictions Society of Canada: They offer Naloxone training in multiple languages. (Email: souda@samhaa.org)
- UBC Harm Reduction Services: Provides free Naloxone training + certification and free fentanyl test strips. They are also here to chat about harm-reduction strategies/substances.
Drop-in free Naloxone training (BCCDC certified), free harm reduction supplies, free safe sex supplies, and free fentanyl test strips are available in NEST 3125 from 10 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday. For alternative options, please visit the following site: https://students.ubc.ca/health/health-topics/substance-use-health-harm-reduction
Please email ps.outreach@ams.ubc.ca for any questions or comments.
Overdose Outreach Teams connect people who have recently experienced an opioid overdose and/or who are at high risk for opioid overdose to support.
If you think someone is overdosing, please call 9-1-1 immediately. If available, consider administering Naloxone right away, a medication that can temporarily reverse an overdose.
How to access: Overdose Outreach Teams currently serve Powell River, Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, Vancouver, and the North Shore. No referral is needed. Type in an address below to find a team near you.
If you have questions about accessing overdose outreach services across the region, contact the Overdose Outreach Team main line at (604) 360-2874.
Please email ps.outreach@ams.ubc.ca for any questions or comments.
Overdose Outreach Teams connect people who have recently experienced an opioid overdose and/or who are at high risk for opioid overdose to support.
If you think someone is overdosing, please call 9-1-1 immediately. If available, consider administering Naloxone right away, a medication that can temporarily reverse an overdose.
How to access: Overdose Outreach Teams currently serve Powell River, Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, Vancouver, and the North Shore. No referral is needed. Type in an address below to find a team near you.
If you have questions about accessing overdose outreach services across the region, contact the Overdose Outreach Team main line at (604) 360-2874.
Local high school students tour the Ciernia lab (spring 2023).
Lord Byng Secondary school Psychology class visits the DMCBH and Ciernia lab for a tour.
Ciernia lab hosted 25 Indigenous high school students from all over BC for a lab tour.
Dr. Ciernia and Olivia Sullivan at the Fraser Valley Mini Medical School in April 2022. Check out the article here.
The BCCH Mini Medical school included Dr. Ciernia’s keynote presentation to 65 high school students in Chilliwack community. Students represented 21 secondary schools and 9 cities within the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford, Agassiz, Aldergrove, Chilliwack, Hope, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission & Pitt Meadows).
Olivia Sullivan led an interactive group activity to teach students about the different cell types that make up the brain. Students made clay brain cells to learn about different cell functions. Neurons and microglia were the two big favorites!