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Having accurate information so you can make informed choices about use is an important part of taking charge of your health and wellbeing. Sometimes students don’t know who to ask or worry they will be judged if they ask questions.

Explore the resources below to equip yourself with facts to help you limit your risk.

Substances

Tobacco and Nicotine

Tobacco is a plant used to make products that deliver nicotine to the body. The leaves are cured, fermented, and aged before they are manufactured into tobacco products. Tobacco was cultivated and used as a sacred and healing herb by Indigenous peoples in North America long before the arrival of Europeans.  

Nicotine is the drug in tobacco products. Nicotine in tobacco smoke boosts alertness and energy for a short time, leading to the desire to want more. Smoking tobacco also exposes you to many chemicals that cause serious health problems.

Tobacco leaves are used to make products that can be consumed in different ways (i.e., smoked in cigarettes, smoked in loose form in hookahs (water pipe), chewed, etc.)

Cigarette smoking is the most common form of tobacco use and more than five million Canadians smoke cigarettes. Most people begin between the ages of 11 and 15.  Health promotion efforts have been effective in supporting Canadians to have a steady decline in smoking over the past 50 years.

E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes (aka vapes) have been around since the mid-2000s. They were promoted as a way for people to stop smoking cigarettes. Instead, they became very popular among non-smokers, including young people. Not An Experiment details the story of the beginnings of e-cigarettes, lists their health effects, and even addresses the topic of pressure to vape. Visit the site and play an interactive game. 

Cannabis 

Cannabis is a plant known for its mind-altering properties and is the second most used substance in Canada, after alcohol.

There are various cannabis products, including plant materials, cannabis oils, concentrated extracts, edibles, tinctures, and creams. These products are used for both their physical (i.e., pain relief) and cognitive effects (i.e., drowsiness, euphoria, alertness) and for medical and nonmedical purposes, including in social circles. People usually smoke cannabis, but they can also consume it in other ways, such as vaporization (vaping) and in edibles.

The effects of cannabis aren’t completely straightforward. Did you know cannabis flowers secrete more than 100 different chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids? Learn more about cannabis, the difference between cannabinoids THC and CBD, along with methods of consumption at cannabis in Canada.

Since cannabis use was legalized in Canada, there has been an average 4% increase in users. That might not sound like a lot, but it's only been a few years, and the increase is mostly amongst young people.

  • Start low and go slow. Take your time to understand how your body uniquely reacts to cannabis
  • Choose lower-risk products such as products with low THC content
  • Do not mix alcohol with cannabis
  • Do not drive under the influence of cannabis
  • Check out Cannabis Sense to learn more about safer consumption strategies for cannabis use and take the quiz to test your knowledge. 

Alcohol

Alcohol is a substance that reduces excitability and can calm a person by slowing down the parts of the brain that affect thinking, behaviour, breathing, and heart rate. Alcohol is made by fermenting or distilling various fruits, vegetables or grains.

Alcohol is the most used substance in Canada. It carries social and cultural significance and is widely available and acceptable, yet many people don’t understand the full range of its effects. For many students, drinking alcohol can be part of your social life at college. Whether it's grabbing a beer after class on a Friday or heading out on a Saturday night, make sure you know the risks, know your limits, and know how to drink alcohol responsibly.

Alcohol comes in different forms (i.e., beer and wine) but it has the same effect. In the following table, each “standard” drink contains 13.6 grams of alcohol.

Use this Government of Canada guide to better understand alcohol units and consumption limits. 

Watch the video Social Norms Around Alcohol Use developed at the University of Alberta to better understand alcohol culture.  

Develop Safer drinking habits by: 

  • knowing how much alcohol you’re having 
  • eating before and during  
  • keeping track of your drinks – if you can’t recall the number, it might be time to stop 
  • having spacers not chasers – drink water or soft drinks between alcoholic drinks  
  • never, ever drink and drive and discourage others from doing so. 

Learn how to prevent impaired driving and access designated driving services in Alberta. 

View this video by SAIT’s Outreach Wellness team to learn more about easy-to-use safer drinking practices   

Opioids

Opioids are strong painkillers and include medicines such as codeine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. They trigger the release of “feel good” brain chemicals for a short period of time, leading to wanting more. There are prescription and nonprescription versions available. Opioids often come as a pill that you swallow. When used in ways they weren't meant to be used, they may also be injected, inhaled (snorted), or smoked.

Knowing the risks about opioid use is essential as even prescribed use has addiction potential. Taking opioids with alcohol or other drugs such as antidepressants or sleeping pills is dangerous—you can have trouble breathing and go into a coma. Fentanyl has also been found in recreational substances young people sometimes use such as cocaine and MDMA.

Guidelines to follow for safer opioid use:

  • Only take medications that are prescribed for you, with your doctor’s or dentist’s supervision. Do not take anyone else’s medication.
  • If you are prescribed opioids for pain, talk to your doctor, dentist or pharmacist about the benefits and risks.
  • Don’t take opioids with other depressant drugs, such as alcohol, anxiety or sleeping pills, Gravol or Benadryl. If you have to do so, consult your health care provider.
  • Return any unused medication to your pharmacist.

To reduce the risk of opioid poisoning:

  • Don’t take opioids while alone and don’t let others use them while alone.
  • The Digital Overdose Response System (DORS) app allows Albertans using opioids or other substances to summon emergency response to their location if they become unconscious.

The Drug Wheel provides information on various recreational substances you may have questions about.

Naloxone

Naloxone is a medicine that can rapidly reverse opioid poisoning. You can find Naloxone for free at most pharmacies by asking a pharmacist. Pharmacists can offer a quick tutorial on how to administer Naloxone. Alberta Health Services offers more information on comprehensive training. Take-home kits may also be available at various community organizations. 

Naloxone is not a substitute for emergency medical support. Always call 911 when administering naloxone. Learn more: 🔗 drug safe | albertahealthservices.ca

If you see someone experiencing an opioid overdose and want to help, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act was introduced in 2017. This law provides safety and protection from the law for anyone who calls emergency services to save the life of someone overdosing.

Behaviours

Gambling

Gambling involves risking money or material valuables on an uncertain outcome, with the possibility of winning a prize or cash reward. There are many ways to gamble, including playing bingo, sports betting, and going to a casino. Not all gambling is a problem. Gambling may be low risk, like when it is used as recreation, or it may be harmful with serious consequences. Learn about low-risk gambling guidelines.

Technology use

Digital technology includes computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and any type of device that connects you to the internet. Given we all live digital lives to varying degrees and technology has a constant presence, we need to be mindful of how we use it. 

Are you questioning your use of substances and/or other behaviours?

The problematic use of a substance and/or behaviours involves the presence of 4 Cs (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, CAMH):

  • Craving the substance and/or behaviour
  • Loss of control of amount/time or frequency
  • Compulsion to use and/or do the behaviour
  • Using the substance or doing the behaviour despite consequences.

Explore the spectrum of use and learn how the use of a substance like alcohol or a behaviour like gambling can shift into something to be concerned about. 

Recovery IS possible.

Student Development and Counselling celebrates multiple pathways to recovery and adopts the person centered and holistic definition of recovery put forward by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Find your tribe to recover in community

Find support with navigating recovery resources

Contact us

Student Development and Counselling

AA205, Heritage Hall, SAIT Main Campus

Monday – Friday | 8:30 am – 4:15 pm 

To book an appointment, connect with us on Microsoft Teams or call us.

Before and after-hours appointments can be requested by contacting the office. Same-day drop-ins are available.

403.284.7023

Student Services

a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Visit Natoysopoyiis Resource Centre