Naloxone and
Overdoses on Campus
Every campus should be safe for students.
Stock naloxone, and save lives.
The overdose reversal drug Naloxone is a miracle drug. The increase in naloxone availability–and the ease of using naloxone–continues to save lives.
In Minnesota, we are working to ensure all public universities are required to keep naloxone in their residence halls in case of student overdoses.
Below, you'll find resources that we've compiled to assist students, advocates, administrators, and legislators make a change in Minnesota. These resources include: research debriefs written by students, stories we've assisted with the publication of, partner organizations that have assisted with our goals, and handout materials from Students United.
Naloxone and Drug Overdose FAQ
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. Meaning it attatches to opioid receptors in the brain, and will reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone can restore normal breathing if their breathing has stopped due to an overdose. Naloxone has no effect on someone not overdosing, so it's safe to administer even if the person isn't in an active overdose.
Is naloxone safe?
Naloxone is safe to use. According to the CDC, administering naloxone to someone experiencing an overdose can cause withdrawal symptoms, which are often mistaken as a side effect of naloxone. Naloxone can be safely given to people of all ages, including children. Naloxone is also safe if used on someone not experiencing an overdose.
Does having access to naloxone encourage drug use?
Studies have shown that naloxone does NOT lead to drug use. A 2010 study in the International Journal of Drug Policy showed that naloxone resulted in decreased drug use.
How much would it cost to have naloxone in every residence hall?
We are working to ensure the cost stocking naloxone is minimal, which is why we are advocating for naloxone to be stocked in residence halls only. Residence halls are where the majority of opioid overdoses occur on campus. By being added to the DHS Naloxone Portal, which Minnesota K-12 institutions obtain their naloxone, we have calculated the cost for campuses to be roughly $200 per residence building on campus, or less. In addition, we're looking to partner with community organizations that will provide free or low-cost naloxone and training to students on campus.