51吃瓜

51吃瓜 CalendarCommunity EducationVisit 51吃瓜
  

Opioid Overdose Resources

Skagit Valley College faculty, staff, and students can access free NARCAN庐 (Naloxone) and Fentanyl test strips on campus to help prevent opioid overdose.

Naloxone is a medication that can save lives by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. Some examples of opioids are heroin, fentanyl, methadone, OxyContin庐, and Vicodin庐. You can give naloxone to someone as an injection or nasal spray.  permits any person or 鈥渆ntity鈥� (e.g., police department, homeless shelter) to obtain, possess, and administer naloxone. It also permits naloxone distribution under a prescriber鈥檚 standing order.

Campus Opioid Overdose Resources


First Aid on Campus

51吃瓜 has placed Naloxone in each of its buildings AED boxes.  Those locations are marked with red and white AED banners and purple Naloxone signs.  The white boxes have AED and Naloxone stickers affixed to them.  These medications are intended for first aid response in case of an opioid overdose in or near campus buildings.  If naloxone is removed from the AED boxes, please contact Security to restock as soon as possible.

Individual Opioid Overdose Resources

51吃瓜 provides free Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips at locations on campus for 51吃瓜 community members at the following locations:

MOUNT VERNON CAMPUS

  • Student Services, Cardinal Center C190 near front desk
  • Counseling Center, Lewis Hall L110 near front desk
  • Campus View Village, Alder 100 Laundry Room

WHIDBEY ISLAND CAMPUS

  • Registration hallway near Oak Hall Rm 202
  • Student Services, Old Main Rm 116

SAN JUAN CENTER

  • Lobby near main office

Recognizing Opioid Overdose

An opioid overdose may lead to symptoms that may resemble other medical emergencies such as alcohol poisoning or overdose of sedatives. So, learning to recognize the symptoms of opioid overdose is important.

Classic Signs of Opioid Overdose Include:

  • Pinpoint (tiny) pupils
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Problems breathing or not breathing at all

Other Signs of Opioid Overdose May Include:

  • Blue or purplish fingernails or lips
  • Limp extremities
  • Vomiting or gurgling sounds

Treating Opioid Overdose

If you suspect a person is a victim of opioid overdose, you should:

STEP 1 - Identify Opioid Overdose and Check for Response

  • Ask person if he or she is okay and shout name.
  • Shake shoulders and firmly rub the middle of their chest.
  • Check for signs of an opioid overdose.
  • Lay the person on their back to receive a dose of NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray.

STEP 2 - Give NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray

  • Remove NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray from the box. Peel back the tab with the circle to open the NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray.
  • Hold the NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
  • Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into either nostril. Tilt the person鈥檚 head back and provide support under the neck with your hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril, until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person鈥檚 nose.
  • Press the plunger firmly to give the dose of NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray.
  • Remove the NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray from the nostril after giving the dose.

STEP 3 - Call for Emergency Medical Help, and Support

  • Call 911: Get emergency medical help right away.
  • Move the person on their side (recovery position) after giving NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray.
  • Watch the person closely.
  • If the person does not respond by waking up, to voice or touch, or breathing normally another dose may be given. NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray may be dosed every 2 to 3 minutes, if available.
  • Repeat Step 2 using a new NARCAN庐 Nasal Spray to give another dose in the other nostril. If additional NARCAN庐 Nasal Sprays are available, repeat step 2 every 2 to 3 minutes until the person responds or emergency medical help is received.

Naloxone can rapidly reverse the overdose effects and restore normal breathing. However, Naloxone is effective for only 30-60 minutes. So, emergency care is still important to ensure that the victim of an overdose does not revert to their overdose state.

Administering Naloxone to a person who may be suffering from alcohol poisoning or sedative overdose will not harm them 鈥� but it will also not help them. Calling 911 to request emergency services is critical.

Good Samaritan Law

Overdose victims and responders have legal protections in Washington State.

In WA State, anyone trying to help in a medical emergency is generally protected from civil liabilities by . WA State鈥檚  gives additional, specific protections against drug possession charges:

  • If you seek medical assistance in a drug-related overdose, you cannot be prosecuted for drug possession.
  • The overdose victim is also protected from drug possession charges.
  • Anyone in WA State who might have or witness an opioid overdose is allowed to carry and administer naloxone. 

The key to saving a life from overdose is to get professional medical help as fast as possible. If you are witnessing a drug overdose, don鈥檛 be afraid to call 911.

Visit for more information. 

Video and Print Opioid Overdose Resources

WA State Overdose Prevention and Response Training from stopoverdose.org (in English w/subtitles)

Capacitaci贸n Sobre Prevenci贸n y Respuesta en una Sobredosis

"Good Samartin Law" Poster