Emergency opioid overdose reversal kits have been installed in 22 buildings on Clemson University’s main campus. A collaborative effort between Public Safety, Student Health Services, Clemson Rural Health and the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, these ONEbox kits are located in high-traffic areas near trauma kits and include Narcan® and a quick training video on how to respond to an overdose emergency.
Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Gregory Mullen emphasizes the installation of these kits is a proactive measure the University is taking to ensure students have easy access to life-saving medication should they ever find themselves in an opioid overdose or poisoning emergency.
“The prevalence of fentanyl in counterfeit prescription drugs is a serious problem,” Mullen says. “While we’ve been fortunate to avoid any such incidents at Clemson, the impact of accidental poisonings and overdoses is happening on college campuses across the U.S., including the deaths of three college students from fentanyl poisoning in North Carolina in just the last two years.”
A number of studies over the past several years highlight the dangers opioid poisoning presents to institutions of higher education due to the prevalence of counterfeit pills that are easily accessible online and in communities, many of which may be misused by college students to enhance their academic performance and address stress and anxiety.
Narcan® (also known by the generic name naloxone) is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose or poisoning from opioids when given in time. It works quickly by blocking the effects of opioids and restoring normal breathing within minutes. It is also safe to use, even if opioids are not present.
The Clemson University Police Department and Clemson University Fire and EMS have been carrying Narcan® for several years, and student organizations have partnered with various foundations and non-profits to provide education and distribute Narcan® and fentanyl testing strips on campus. It has also been offered at a reduced cost to students in the pharmacy at Redfern Health Center.
While these efforts are important, Clemson University is following a trend occurring at other universities across the country – such as the University of South Carolina, University of Georgia and University of North Carolina – by placing Narcan®/opioid emergency kits at strategic locations across campus, similar to what has been done with other life-saving items like AEDs and trauma kits.
“Students may think they’re taking pills like oxycodone, Xanax or Adderall, but instead, those pills contain fentanyl,” Mullen adds. “That is why it is important that we take proactive steps to be prepared for immediate emergency care should a student, staff or faculty member need assistance from a fentanyl poisoning or overdose prior to the arrival of EMS or law enforcement.”
Narcan® is available to those who want to have it on hand in case of an emergency. Students can contact Healthy Campus to receive training and Narcan® at no cost. Narcan® is also available by request at the Redfern Health Center Pharmacy and is covered by most pharmacy insurance plans at a reduced cost to the student. Free opioid overdose kits (includes naloxone) are available at local health departments as well.
To learn more about ONEbox, Narcan® availability or signs of opioid poisoning, visit clemson.edu/narcan.