Opioid Harm Reduction
Overdose Prevention Is Harm Reduction
Opioid overdose is a widespread public health issue in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses per year in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2024, this number dropped to 80,391. In Washington State, the number of fatal opioid overdoses dropped by 12% in 2024 from 2023. While these declines are promising, opioid overdose is still the leading cause of death for people ages 18-44.
These are troubling statistics. However, it's important to remember that with naloxone intervention, opioid overdoses are preventable.
In accordance with Washington State HB 2112, Western provides naloxone and fentanyl test strips at various locations on campus, as well as by mail through the Office of Health Promotion. Training is required for all RAs, and available for students and staff online and in-person.
Be an Active Bystander!
The Medical Amnesty Law was enacted with the intent to save lives by increasing timely medical attention for those experiencing an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency by providing limited immunity from prosecution for those seeking help. The Medical Amnesty Law protects you and the person who needs help from being cited for underage drinking, so call 911 and save a life!
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of highly addictive drugs that are used to reduce pain.
Opioids Include:
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Prescription pain medications such as:
- Vicodin (hydrocodone)
- OxyContin (oxycodone)
- Dilaudid (hydromorphine)
- MS Contin (morphine)
- Percocet
- Methadone
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid. It is on the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines due to its affordability and potency as a pain relief drug in hospital settings. However, illicit fentanyl has led to a major increase in overdose deaths over the past decade.
Fentanyl Myths, Fentanyl Facts
MYTH: It is easy to accidentally overdose on fentanyl by touching it or inhaling air around it.
FACT: Fentanyl has an extremely poor absorption rate through the skin (SOURCE). While medical fentanyl patches do exist, they use special technology to increase skin absorption.
FACT: Airborne exposure risk from fentanyl is extremely unlikely. In industrial settings, where airborne fentanyl exposure is tracked to keep workers safe, the AACT and ACMT state that it would take 200 minutes of airborne exposure at industrial levels to reach exposure equivalent to a standard dose of morphine.
SOURCE: Brief-TransdermalFent This PDF from stopoverdose.maryland.gov does a great overview. The original study is also linked.
Sign Up for Overdose Response Training
The Office of Health Promotion and Resilience offers free training around opioid harm reduction. Sign up for a 60-minute Overdose Response Training and learn about harm reduction strategies including using fentanyl test strips, what an opioid overdose looks like, and how to respond appropriately by using naloxone.
Naloxone Saves Lives
Naloxone (brand name Narcan®) is a medication available over the counter as a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose and help a person start breathing again. It is very safe and easy to use. You can order naloxone for free using our health supplies order form. Carry naloxone with you and know how to administer it.
If you live in the Residence Halls, please note that all RAs and RDs are trained to administer naloxone.
How to Give Naloxone
Look and Listen for:
- Slow or no breathing
- Gurgling, gasping, or snoring
- Clammy, cool skin
- Blue or gray lips or nails
- Pill bottles, needles, or alcohol
Try to Wake Them Up:
- Shake them and call their name.
- Rub your knuckles hard over their chest bone.
If they don’t wake up, you need to act fast!
Say where you are and that the person isn’t breathing. You don’t need to say anything about drugs or medications.
Good Samaritan Law
If you get medical help for an overdose or alcohol poisoning, you and the victim cannot be charged for drug use, possession, or underage drinking.
Learn more about medical amnesty on our Medical Amnesty web page and on Western's On-Campus Housing website.
Give the Naloxone
Follow the instructions on the package or in the overdose rescue kit.
Start Rescue Breathing
- Tilt head back. Lift chin. Pinch nose.
- Give 2 quick breaths. Chest should rise.
- Then give 1 slow breath every 5 seconds.
- Keep going until they start breathing or until help arrives.
- If they don’t respond in 3-5 minutes, give a second dose of naloxone.
- Keep rescue breathing.
- If they start to wake up and breathe, stay with them.
- Watch them until medical help arrives. Naloxone wears off in 30-90 minutes. When it does, the person can stop breathing again.
- If you must leave, put them into the recovery position and in a place they can be found.
What Are Fentanyl Test Strips?
Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a harm reduction tool that reduces the risk of an overdose. Fentanyl has been commonly found in drugs sold as opioids as well as in fake benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax) and cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and heroin. This especially includes pressed pills such as “M30s."
Fentanyl test strips can test only for the presence of fentanyl or some fentanyl analogs in a sample. They do not test for nitazenes. We supply DanceSafe’s FTS for free on campus through our Health Supplies Vending Machine located in the 6th floor lobby of the Viking Union and by mail through our Health Supplies Order Form.
Order Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips
The Office of Health Promotion promotes student well-being at Western by making naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and other substance harm reduction supplies freely available to Western students.
If you would like to place a mail order for naloxone or fentanyl test strips, please fill out our Health Supplies Request Form. When you need a refill, feel free to order again and we will do our best to continue filling all orders as long as supplies last.
House Bill 2112
In 2024, House Bill 2112 was passed to ensure all institutions of higher education in Washington state are providing education and access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips to address the public health impact of opioids. The Office of Health Promotion and Resilience provides the educational training and distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips for Western Washington University.
Sources
CDC National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief #491: Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2002-2022
WA State Department of Health Opioid and Drug Use Data Dashboard