Skip to main content
Boise State University

Opioid Overdose Response

Boise State is committed to a safe, thriving campus by ensuring students, faculty, and staff have access to life-saving resources. Free naloxone, fentanyl testing strips, and xylazine testing strips are now available in key locations to support overdose prevention and emergency response.

Drug overdose is a preventable cause of death

270

Idaho residents died of an opioid overdose in 2022

85%

of these drug overdose deaths were accidental

Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone on Campus

The purpose of this program is to increase the availability of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, as well as fentanyl and xylazine testing strips on the Boise State campus, thus reducing the risk of a fatal overdose occurring.

Boise State has installed opioid overdose response boxes and Barney Boxes across campus in collaboration with Central District Health and campus partners. The overdose response boxes contain NARCAN® (a brand of naloxone nasal spray), face shields for rescue breaths, gloves, and a pulse oximeter. Barney Boxes also include fentanyl and xylazine testing strips, offering a proactive way to identify high-risk substances and prevent overdose.

NARCAN® is a safe, easy-to-use medication that works quickly to revive someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

Where can I find naloxone on campus?

Boise State Campus Map

Emergency Opioid Overdose Boxes:

These boxes are meant to be used in an emergency situation where an individual is overdosing on the premises.

Naloxone Boxes Contain The Following Items:

  • 2 boxes of NARCAN® each containing 2 doses (4 doses total)
  • Face shield for administering rescue breaths
  • Gloves
  • Pulse oximeter

Distribution Boxes (Barney Boxes):

Barney Boxes are freely accessible to all students, faculty, and staff, and are intended to be used without restriction whenever overdose prevention or substance testing resources are needed.

Barney Boxes Contain the Following Items:

  • 24 boxes of NARCAN® each containing 2 does
  • 5 fentanyl testing kits
  • 5 xylazine testing kits

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone, which is also known under the brand name NARCAN® is a medication that is used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is an “opioid antagonist” which means that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids such as fentanyl. Naloxone may also refer to similarly acting and equally safe opioid antagonists approved by the federal food and drug administration for treatment of drug overdose.

Naloxone is only used to treat opiate overdoses and does NOT reverse the effects of other substances such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or stimulants (cocaine, meth, etc.). Naloxone will only work if a person has opiates in their system. It will not work to reverse an overdose from non-opioid drug use.

A person cannot get high from using naloxone.

It is critical to call 9-1-1 after administering naloxone as it is temporary and the effects do not last long.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that comes in pharmaceutical and illicit forms. While fentanyl can be prescribed, it is more commonly found in the illicit drug supply. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is developed within laboratories. Fentanyl is found in various forms: powder, pills, liquid form, such as nasal sprays or eye drops, and small candies.

In Idaho, illicit fentanyl is also often found in counterfeit pills made to look like prescription pills such as oxycodone or Xanax. Pills containing fentanyl are often purchased illegally through social media and e-commerce websites. Pills purchased outside of licensed pharmacies may contain deadly amounts of fentanyl. The potency, or strength, of opioids differ—fentanyl is 50x stronger than heroin and 100x stronger than morphine. Due to the fentanyl’s strength, small amounts of the drug can result in fatal overdose or overdose death. 

What is Xylazine?

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a veterinary tranquilizer that has been found in some illicit drug supplies. People often use xylazine without knowing it when it is added to other drugs, most frequently fentanyl. Xylazine can slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Overdose reversal medications do not reverse the effects of xylazine. Experts recommend that people give opioid overdose reversal medications to those experiencing symptoms of an overdose with suspected xylazine exposure, since opioids are often present with xylazine. In addition to risk for overdose, repeated xylazine use is associated with skin wounds, such as open sores (ulcers) and abscesses.

The best way to prevent a  fentanyl-related overdose is to avoid illicit substances. If the pill does not come directly from a pharmacy, consider not taking it. As a Harm Reduction strategy, Boise State University now offers free Fentanyl and Xylazine testing kits at 5 locations across campus.

Signs of Opioid Overdose

Opioid overdose can happen fast. If any one of these signs are present, call 9-1-1 and give naloxone. Opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency attention. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose is essential to saving lives.

  • Breath is slow, shallow, or has stopped
  • Noises like loud snoring or gurling
  • Body is limp, unresponsive, or unconscious
  • Lips or fingertips are blue or discolored
  • Skin is pale/gray or clammy
  • Eyes have pinpoint or small pupils

How to Respond to a Suspected Opioid Overdose:

Information and Training

Information and Training Videos

Steps for Administering NARCAN®

Step 1

Identify opioid overdose and check for response

  • Ask person if he or she is okay and shout their name
  • Check for signs of an opioid overdose:
    • Will not wake up or respond to your voice or touch
    • Breathing is very slow, irregular, or has stopped
    • Noises like loud snoring or gurling
    • Center part of their eye is very small, sometimes called “pinpoint pupils”
    • Skin is pale/gray or clammy
    • Lips or fingertips are blue or discolored
  • Lay the person on their back to receive a dose of the NARCAN® nasal spray into the nearest nostril

Step 2:

Call 9-1-1 and advise them of your location

Step 3:

Give NARCAN® nasal spray

  • Remove NARCAN® nasal spray from the box
  • Peel back the tab with the circle to open the NARCAN® nasal spray
  • Hold the 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 the nearest nostril
  • Tilt the person’s head back and provide support under the neck with your hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril into your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose
  • Press the red plunger firmly to give the dose of NARCAN® nasal spray
  • Remove the nasal spray from the nostril after giving the dose

 

Step 4:

Conduct rescue breaths

  • Place one hand on the individual’s forehead to tilt the head back while simultaneously using your other hand to lift the chin. This “Head Tilt Chin Lift” method will open the airway
  • Place the CPR Rescue Mask over the individual’s nose and mouth, ensuring an airtight seal
  • Keep the chin lifted and conduct two (2) rescue breaths, one (1) second apart
  • Check that the individual’s chest rises and falls with each breath. If it does not, reposition the mask, open the airway again, and repeat rescue breaths

Step 5:

Move the person into recovery position 

  • Move the person on their side after the individual is breathing independently

Step 6:

Give NARCAN® nasal spray

  • Remove NARCAN® nasal spray from the box
  • Peel back the tab with the circle to open the NARCAN® nasal spray
  • Hold the 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 the nearest nostril
  • Tilt the person’s head back and provide support under the neck with your hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril into your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose
  • Press the red plunger firmly to give the dose of NARCAN® nasal spray
  • Remove the nasal spray from the nostril after giving the dose

Tips

Important Tips

  • Do not test the nasal spray before using it
  • Each device will spray 1 time only
  • NARCAN® can be used in either nostril, nowhere else
  • 1 nasal spray is equivalent to 1 dose of medicine

FAQs And More Information

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Who should be given naloxone?
a. Naloxone (NARCAN®) should be given to any person who shows signs of an opioid overdose.

2. Does naloxone work if someone is not breathing?
a. A person does not need to be breathing for naloxone to work. Nasal spray is sprayed in the nose and the medicine is absorbed there. It does not need to be inhaled for the medicine to work.

3. Is naloxone easy to use?
a.Yes, naloxone is easy to use and medical training is not required. Check out CDC’s videos on how to use naloxone nasal spray.

4. Does naloxone have side effects?
a. Naloxone can (but does not always) cause withdrawal symptoms or unpleasant physical reactions, in people who are physically dependent on opioids. Withdrawal symptoms may include fever, anxiety, irritability, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and tremors.

5. Will naloxone harm someone who isn’t experiencing an opioid overdose?
a. Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on opioids or other drugs, so it’s always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing.

6. Is naloxone addictive?
a. No, naloxone is safe to use and is not addictive.

For more Information Visit:

Questions about this program can be directed to wellness@boisestate.edu 

Sources: Drug Enforcement Agency, NARCAN, University of Wisconsin Madison, Central District Health, University of Washington, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration