Coroner’s inquest into overdose death of UVIC student wrapping up

The coroner’s inquest into the 2024 overdose death of a University of Victoria student, Sidney McIntyre-Starko, is nearing its conclusion.

Deliberations wrapped up on Tuesday without a verdict and will continue until the jury reaches an agreement on the facts surrounding McIntyre-Starko’s death.

The jury will also formulate recommendations for key stakeholders to prevent similar tragedies.

The inquest heard from a total of 33 witnesses and experts. This testimony aims to understand the procedural failures contributing to the 18-year-old’s death.

McIntyre-Starko and two other UVIC students ingested fentanyl-laced cocaine. This led to McIntyre-Starko and another girl collapsing.

Subsequently, miscommunications occurred between emergency dispatchers and security guards, delaying the administration of naloxone for 15 minutes.
While the other student was revived, McIntyre-Starko was resuscitated but later declared brain-dead.

“We would like to see nasal naloxone be made widely and freely available to all residents of British Columbia, as nasal naloxone is freely available to residents of Ontario, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories,” say McIntyre-Starko’s parents about the recommendations they would like the jury to make.

The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills will consider the recommendations to enhance student safety on campuses.
A prior UVIC-commissioned report identified 18 preventative measures, including better mental health support, first-aid trained residence staff, and an amnesty policy.

UVIC President Kevin Hall acknowledged mistakes and stated that the university’s developing overdose prevention plan will incorporate inquest findings and other recommendations.

— with files from Jan Schuermann