This subject came up in our Core Circ meeting yesterday, and I wanted to follow up with some detailed information. Most of the more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths [reported](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm) In the United States in the last year are due to opioids. Synthetic opioids may be 100 times more potent than morphine, and may be mixed with other drugs and misrepresented as other, more expensive recreational drugs. Just a few milligrams of Fentanyl can be deadly, especially for inexperienced or unsuspecting users. [Naloxone](https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone) (also known as Narcan) is a nasal spray that can block and reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. This medication has been proven to be safe and effective and has been used for decades to stop overdoses. Naloxone is not just for medical professionals. **Anyone can learn in a few minutes to administer Narcan in an overdose emergency.** Here are [written](https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/150-126-NaloxoneInstructions.pdf?uid=64555ae9bb7b2) and [video](https://vimeo.com/357020563) instructions for recognizing signs of an overdose and giving Naloxone. Narcan has recently been [federally approved](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray) for OTC purchase, but is not yet available in stores. It has been available from pharmacies in Washington, without a prescription, under a [WA State Standing order](https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/150-127-StatewideStandingOrderToDispenseNaloxone.pdf) since 2019. [Good Samaritan](https://stopoverdose.org/basics/good-samaritan-law/) administration of Naloxone is legally protected in Washington State. California has recently [required](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Campus-Opioid-Safety-Act.aspx#:~:text=Senate%20Bill%20\(SB\)%20367%2C,as%20of%20January%201%2C%202023.) training and access to overdose reversal medication on public college campuses. **In an overdose situation time is of the essence.** Our campus safety department has confirmed that they have a supply of Naloxone in their office, and in their vehicles. As of our last conversation about this, they do not carry it with them. **XXXX and I both have Naloxone available at our workspaces in case of an emergency.**  After contacting Campus Safety, if you need access to Naloxone, please do not hesitate to use the Narcan in our workspace. If you are uncomfortable administering it, please feel encouraged to offer it to Campus Safety or a good Samaritan. Please consider acquiring Naloxone, and spreading the word about this important, life-saving measure. Encourage administration and leadership to institutionalize training and access to Narcan/Naloxone on campus. If you have questions about Naloxone or want to be involved in discussions about increasing knowledge and access on campus, please follow up with me or XXXX. Thank you! ## Resources ** [Department of Health Opioid Overdose Response instructional video](https://vimeo.com/357020563) [Manufacturers instructional video](https://youtu.be/KEOq6fUWNtA) [WA State Standing order](https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/150-127-StatewideStandingOrderToDispenseNaloxone.pdf) WA Department of Health details on Good Samaritan Law If you can overlook the LEO aspects of this,  [https://stopoverdose.org/docs/LEOTrainersGuide.pdf](https://stopoverdose.org/docs/LEOTrainersGuide.pdf) and the PHRA offers training: **[https://phra.org/naloxone-training](https://phra.org/naloxone-training)**