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Opioid Overdose Information and Naloxone Distribution

Pierce College supports public health efforts to reduce opioid-related overdoses and death by making Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips available for free on campus. Anyone can access these items, no questions asked, at the Naloxone Kiosks located inside of the 3rd floor of the Cascade Building at Ft. Steilacoom and 2nd floor of CTR near the Student Life office.

On June 6, 2024,  Second Substitute House Bill 2112 was passed. This law requires that institutions of higher education in the State of Washington provide all students with access to Naloxone, Fentanyl test strips, and information on opioid and fentanyl prevention and reversal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Watch: 3:15 minute video on how Naloxone Works (SAMHSA)

Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan®, is a life-saving, over-the-counter medication that reverses an opioid overdose.

Naloxone works by binding to opioid receptors in the body and disrupting and blocking the effects of opioids including fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, and heroin.

Naloxone is non-addictive, and does not cause a “high” when used. It has no effect when used on someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose.

Watch: 30 second video on how to use Naloxone (Center for Disease Control)

  1. Call 911. If the person is unresponsive, not breathing, or turning blue or gray, call 911 for emergency medical help.
    • Say you are with a person who is not breathing. You do not have to say anything about substances or medicines at the scene.
    • Tell the operator your exact location.
    • Tell the operator you are going to give the person naloxone.
    • Follow any additional instructions you get from the operator.
  2. Give Naloxone. Give them one dose of naloxone every 2-3 minutes until their breathing returns to normal (normal = one breath every 3-5 seconds)
  3. Give rescue breaths. After giving the first dose of naloxone, lay the person flat on the ground, tilt their chin upwards to open the airway, and provide one rescue breath every 5 seconds.
    • Make sure you see the person’s chest rise and fall when giving rescue breaths.
    • Chest compressions are not needed as long as the person has a pulse. If the person does not have a pulse, start chest compressions and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
    • If you cannot give rescue breaths, start chest compressions immediately to move air into the lungs and stimulate blood flow.
      • To perform chest compressions:
        1. Place your hands on the center of the chest (on the sternum between the nipples) with one hand on top of the other.
        2. Position your body directly over your hands and center your weight over them.
        3. Press down firmly at least 2 inches deep, into the chest.
        4. Let the chest rise completely after each compression.
        5. Press down on the chest at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
  4. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives. When the person wakes up from the overdose, they may not feel well and can potentially be confused. They should get medical attention and not take any more substances.
    • Naloxone wears off within 30-90 minutes. It is possible for the person to go back into the overdose once the naloxone wears off.
    • It is important to call 911. If that is not possible, stay with the person in case the naloxone wears off and additional doses are needed.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is used in medical settings to treat severe pain. Fentanyl is very potent compared to other opioids, and it takes very little to overdose.

Fentanyl has been mixed (cut) into other drugs such as meth, cocaine, and counterfeit pills. It has also been sold as a replacement for other drugs such as heroin. This significantly increases the risk of opioid overdose, especially for those who are unaware of the presence of fentanyl in their drugs.

It is important to know if the drugs you consume contain fentanyl. You can test drugs for fentanyl by correctly using a fentanyl test strip.

You cannot overdose on fentanyl by simply touching it, or through secondhand smoke in a public place.

Not all fentanyl test strips work the same! Read and follow instructions on the packaging before use.

Pierce college uses DANCEsafe test strips. Visit the DANCEsafe website to download instructions.

Opioids are a class of drugs that are used to treat pain. Opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), methadone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, heroin and more. A full list can be found at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

It is legal for anyone to carry and administer naloxone or use fentanyl test strips. In fact, it is most effective to keep naloxone and fentanyl test strips with you.

Washington’s Good Samaritan law offers protections for those who act in “good faith” in seeking medical care for an overdose for themselves or others. Per RCW 69.50.135:

(1) A person acting in good faith who seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to RCW 69.50.4013, or penalized under RCW 69.50.4014, if the evidence for the charge of possession of a controlled substance was obtained as a result of the person seeking medical assistance.

(2) A person who experiences a drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to RCW 69.50.4013, or penalized under RCW 69.50.4014, if the evidence for the charge of possession of a controlled substance was obtained as a result of the overdose and the need for medical assistance.

(3) The protection in this section from prosecution for possession crimes under RCW 69.50.4013 shall not be grounds for suppression of evidence in other criminal charges.

No.

There is no evidence that providing Naloxone increases drug use. Instead, it is associated with less risky and frequent drug use.  Making naloxone and fentanyl test strips widely available is effective in reducing overdose death.

You can find more information on common myths related to Naloxone at CVS Health.

Harm reduction is an evidence-based, non-judgmental approach that is effective in reducing the harmful consequences of a behavior. Harm reduction is used as intervention across such as drug use.

As defined by the National Harm Reduction Coalition, Harm Reduction is “a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.”

If you would like personalized support in finding resources, contact the PARC department or visit the PARC resource webpage. PARC’s Basic Needs Navigators provide non-judgmental, harm reduction case management for Pierce College Students.

Injection Supplies and Overdose Prevention Aids

  • EGYHOP
    • Provides free necessities, emergency supplies, and STI prevention supplies several days a week in Olympia via street outreach.
  • The People's Harm Reduction Alliance
    • Provides free Naloxone/Narcan® via discreet mailing, once per month, anywhere in Washington State.
  • Tacoma Needle Exchange
    • Exchanges used injection supplies for new ones. Delivery available. Provides Naloxone via vending machines at multiple locations across Pierce County.
  • Syringe Service Program Directory
    • A statewide directory of syringe service programs in Washington.

Sober Support

Detox

  • Tacoma Detox Services (MDC)
    • Accepts walk-ins 24/7 for those needing medication and care for drug withdrawal. Connects folks to support for ongoing recovery needs, housing, employment, medication management, and more.