Problematic drug use, excessive alcohol consumption, and mental health issues have become a growing concern across Canadian university campuses. Postsecondary students are at considerable risk for these conditions due to their increased independence and responsibility upon transitioning to university, in addition to the competitive nature of academic environments leading to high stress. At the end of the day, it boils down to our age. Young Canadians, aged 15-24, are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance use disorders than any other age group- and we also make up 60% of illicit drug users in Canada (Miller, 2025). Not convinced yet…? How about recent statistics demonstrating that ¼ of all Canadian post-secondary students have been offered, sold or given drugs in the last year, and that opioids and stimulants were the most frequently used (Miller, 2025). Of those using opioids, 28.1% misused them, and 79.4% of stimulant users misused them (Chang et al., 2021). As well, 35% of Canadian post-secondary students reported they had consumed five or more drinks on a single occasion within the last two weeks (at the time of the study), which is generally considered “binge drinking” (Henderson et al., 2018). Clearly, risky drug and alcohol use are serious and growing problems in the Canadian university student population, and it requires immediate action to spread awareness, gain knowledge, and protect our students. 

 

                  Unfortunately, despite these high levels of mental health concerns and risky drinking/drug practices among Canadian post-secondary students, less than 20-25% of young Canadians who require mental health and addiction services seek professional help (Henderson et al., 2018). For example, while there has been an increase in adults accessing opioid agonist treatment (OAT), there has been a decline in youth accessing it due to the increased barriers for their age group (Rosic et al., 2023). Opioid Agonist Treatment involves taking opioid agonists (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine) to prevent withdrawal and reduce cravings for drugs while not getting the patient high (Opioid agonist treatment, n.d.). There is a lack of availability for youth-oriented programs that are comfortable providing treatment and prescriptions to younger individuals, compounded by the stigma associated with OAT distancing youth from using this treatment to support their addiction (Rosic et al., 2023). We desperately need to understand what barriers are restricting youth from receiving support and work to break them down. Not only is it extremely dangerous to not receive the necessary support, there are various other consequences that accompany poor mental health and heavy alcohol/drug consumption, such as poor academic performance, unhealthy eating, sleeping, and exercise behaviours, and dropping out, highlighting the imminent need to take action (Henderson et al., 2018).

             

                  Substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental disorder that influences the brain and behaviour of individuals, leading to an inability to control their use of substance-like drugs (legal or illegal), alcohol, or medications (Substance use and co-occurring mental disorder, 2024). Interestingly, the prevalence of SUD and mental health problems varies among the three academic majors, including health, business, and engineering students. While engineering students had the lowest prevalence of both conditions, this was most common in business students, and business and health profession students reported similar rates of risky alcohol use. Speaking even more broadly, research has shown that females are at a higher risk of developing adverse psychiatric, social, and medical consequences as a result of substance use, and an accelerated rate of progression from moderate drug use to having a substance use disorder (Chang et al., 2021). 

There is an abundance of research looking at Canadian post-secondary populations,  but there is a significant gap in the research on Queen’s University and Kingston’s experiences of similar rates of substance use. Even just considering Kingston as a whole, the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington regions reported 200 opioid-related emergency visits, 66 opioid-related hospitalizations of individuals, and 23 opioid-related deaths in just one year, raking KFLA as the ninth-highest public health region in Ontario for opioid-related deaths (Bahji & Camiré, 2019). Not only is this a problem across Canada, but it is right in our backyards. 

                   

                  Knowing the depth of this widespread issue, it is crucial to raise university students’ awareness and understanding of the potentially harmful effects of mental health struggles, hazardous alcohol consumption, and drug abuse/misuse. We need to focus on reducing the stigma associated with mental health problems and alcohol/drug abuse issues in order to increase students ’ comfort to reach out and therefore have the opportunity to intervene. This includes access to on-campus judgement- and consequence-free mental health and addiction services, in addition to education-based campaigns to increase awareness about safe alcohol and drug consumption. We need to come together in order to help Queen’s University become a safer, more aware, and educated community for our students. 

With this in mind, the creation of a club focused on educating, breaking down barriers, and de-stigmatizing substance use disorders seemed quite self-evident. Yet, no clubs existed in this category, nor were there many explicit resources dedicated to this on campus or in general. 

QFR seeks to change this. As a club, we first want to prioritize education and awareness, not just any information, but information that is digestible, interesting, and accessible. Often, the prevalence of substance misuse in our communities is hidden behind scientific journals or simply ‘swept under the rug’. QFR’s research team is tasked with searching for this information and providing it in a digestible format for our other teams to disseminate.  

               

              We have started doing this through educational Instagram posts that provide information on topics relevant to SUD. However, we envision going much further than just social media. Future workshops and events will incorporate hands-on training, expert panels, and fundraisers. All of this is to create a community at Queen’s that recognizes the impact and prevalence of substance misuse while de-stigmatizing the topic and providing students and community members with steps toward recovery. 

QFR was born out of the lived experiences and shared realizations of its co-founders, who each recognized the urgent need for accessible, human-centred substance-use education. Teagan, having grown up in Vancouver amidst the opioid crisis, saw firsthand the deep links between substance use and mental health and felt the lack of open, empathetic dialogue on the subject—especially in academic spaces like Queen’s. Yasmine, similarly impacted by the realities of substance misuse in her Bay Area community, was driven by a desire to make this often distant issue tangible and actionable for students. Together, they envisioned a club that wouldn’t just raise awareness, but one that would also actively blur the divide between the Queen’s campus and the broader Kingston community. With a team full of passionate, multidisciplinary individuals, QFR is growing into more than just a student club—it’s becoming a platform for change, connection, and recovery-focused conversation. The goal isn’t just to inform—it’s to inspire meaningful, collective action that brings this hidden epidemic into the light.

 

                  When team members were asked to share why they joined QFR, a variety of motivations, from the desire to build a stronger sense of community and knowledge to personal passion were highlighted. “I chose to join Queens for Recovery because I want to help out with addressing the opioid use and addiction within the Kingston community. The opioid crisis is a pressing public health issue, and I believe that university students have a role to play in harm reduction, advocacy, and support,” says Spencer Levac, director of finances. “I want Queen’s students to understand the realities of opioid use, the importance of harm reduction, and how systemic factors contribute to addiction. It’s crucial to shift perspectives from judgment to support and action”. Sydney Conroy, director of community and EDII, joined the team due to a growing motivation to become involved and learn more about the opioid crisis, “I was initially drawn to QFR by my roommate Teagan's passion and dedication to creating a club around an issue that meant so much to her. As I learned more about the cause and devastating impact of the opioid crisis, my motivation to get involved only grew stronger.” 

     

                    For some, being a part of QFR stems from experience of the effects of substance misuse. Bianca Mastroianni, director of the QFR journal, touches on her passion to make a difference stemming from personal loss, “This April marks nine years since my older brother Julian, -a third year student at Loyola University in New Orleans-- passed away due to substance misuse. Experiencing firsthand the profound impact that substance misuse has not just on the individuals but also their loved ones ignited a burning passion for me to make a difference. I believe this initiative is not just valuable but necessary- it has the power to improve mental health, academic success, and overall well-being for us and our peers. Most importantly, it has the potential to save lives”. Maya Newton, journal coordinator for QFR, discussed her experience with substance misuse, “Growing up with family members struggling with substance use really exposes you to how detrimental addiction is on individuals and their families. Seeing the instability, emotional turmoil, and deterioration of relationships as a result has motivated me to do my part to create as much change as I am capable of surrounding this issue”. 

Others were motivated by the lack of current discussion around this topic in the Queen’s community. Harrison Nejaty, a journal coordinator for QFR feels that the conversation of substance abuse in the younger population is not considered nearly as much as it should be, “When thinking of recovery groups, you almost never think of young people in these groups. Yet, from my time at Queens, I've found that substance abuse and recovery from it are something that happens more often than some may believe”. Mackenzie Watson, director of outreach, looks forward to providing meaningful education surrounding substance use, “My goal is to break down stigma and show that recovery looks different for everyone.” 

 

                 Looking to make a difference and spark conversations about substance misuse is a clear motivation of our members, “I look forward to having more conversations on the stigma surrounding substance use and the support systems available in Kingston,” says one of QFR’s research coordinators Emma Kalsi. Olivia Brock, the director of events and logistics is looking forward to the mark QFR will leave on Queen’s and the Kingston community, “The club has exceptional potential to do work that is long lasting and makes a big difference for both students and community members”. No matter their reason for joining, one thing is clear: QFR is committed to raising awareness and creating meaningful change surrounding substance misuse by educating students and lessening the stigma.

 

                  At Queen’s for Recovery (QFR), we are committed to cultivating a campus culture grounded in awareness, support, and meaningful action around substance use and mental health. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, we aim to dismantle stigma, empower students with knowledge, and ensure that those in need are connected to compassionate, effective resources. Our mission is simple but urgent: no one should face these challenges alone. Recovery is possible, and every voice deserves to be heard.

Looking ahead, our path is focused and purposeful. QFR operates through four key pillars:

• Education – Sharing clear, evidence-based information on harm reduction, addiction, and mental health through journal entries, social media, and accessible formats.
   

• Advocacy – Championing the expansion of nonjudgmental, accessible support services both on campus and in the Kingston community, while partnering with established local organizations.
   

• Community – Creating space for connection through peer support, expert panels, and events that encourage dialogue and reduce stigma.
   

• Action – Working collaboratively with local initiatives to reduce overdose risks, enhance treatment access, and expand education on recovery pathways.
   

 

QFR is more than just a student club — it is a movement to make Queen’s a more compassionate, informed, and proactive community. The urgency is real, and the time to act is now. Together, we can reframe how substance use and mental health are understood and supported. Join us.

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