Overdose Prevention and Opioid Safety
Opioid/fentanyl overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45 (United States Drug Enforcement Administration 2023).
Many overdose deaths involve fake pills of any kind, not just opioids, containing illicit fentanyl. Fentanyl is a very potent opioid. Illicit fentanyl is manufactured illegally without safety measures. It’s added to drugs to make them cheaper, more potent, and more addictive. It takes only a very small amount of fentanyl to overdose.
Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose.
- Available over-the-counter, without a prescription.
- Safe and easy to use, works almost immediately, and is not addictive.
- Very few negative effects, and no ill effects if opioids are not in a person’s system.
Fentanyl test strips detect the presence of fentanyl in drug samples prior to ingestion. Testing drugs for fentanyl could be the difference between life and death.
Napa Valley College is committed to helping end overdose. In accordance with the Campus Opioid Safety Act, students can pick up free naloxone nasal spray (brand name NARCAN®) and fentanyl test strips at the Student Health Center, Building 2250.
Alternatively, in partnership with the Napa Opioid Safety Coalition, these harm reductions tools are available to students, staff, and the public via a free distribution box located in the Student Activites Center, Building 900.
Overdose signs and symptoms include:
- Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils"
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Slow, weak, or no breathing
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Cold and/or clammy skin
- Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
How to respond to a drug overdose:
- Call 911 and give naloxone.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until 911 responders arrive.
- With a fentanyl overdose, two or more doses of naloxone may need to be given.
When in doubt, treat it like an overdose - you could save a life.