Opioid Overdose Response

Symptoms of an opioid overdose can include:

• Slow, shallow or absent breathing – breath may be gasping or gurgling.
• Extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness – the person may be difficult to wake up or not respond to stimuli.
• Pinpoint pupils - the dark center of a person’s eyes may appear very small.
• Bluish tint to the lips and/or nails - lack of oxygen to these areas can cause discoloration.
• Slow, weak or absent pulse – the heart rate may be slow, irregular or stop altogether.

The University of Idaho’s Amnesty Policy aims to remove some of the barriers that may prevent any student from seeking emergency medical attention for themselves or others. Read the full policy.

• Hold the nasal spray device with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger, do not press.
• Insert the nozzle into either nostril.
• Press the plunger firmly to give the first dose – each Narcan nasal spray device contains one 4mg dose.
• Wait 2-3 minutes to give the medicine time to work.
• If the person does not become responsive continue to give doses every 2-3 minutes until the person wakes up, alternating nostrils. It is safe to give multiple doses.

• Provide reassurance when the person becomes responsive and continue to monitor their status.
• Follow instructions provided by 9-1-1 and emergency medical services when they arrive.
• Give another dose of Narcan if the person becomes sleepy or unresponsive.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescribed pain-relieving medications like oxycodone, illegal drugs like heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Opioids have a high potential for addiction and have been found mixed into counterfeit medications and other illicit substances. At higher doses opioids can slow or stop breathing, leading to an overdose.

Common opioids are:

• Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Fentanyl

Safe storage of medication and disposal of unwanted or expired opioids and other medication is an important part of maintaining the health and safety of our community.

Check out some ways to properly store and dispose of opioids:

• Deterra Deactivation Kits: Deterra® Drug Deactivation System Pouches provide safe, convenient and permanent disposal of unused, expired or unwanted medications, including painkillers and other opioids. Free Deterra pouches are available in the Well Space at the Student Recreation Center, at Vandal Recovery, and at the Latah Recovery Center in downtown Moscow.
• Medication Lock Boxes: Secure storage of medication using a lock box can help provide an extra layer of safety to ensure that you are the only one with access to your medications. Free 5.25 in x 7 in x 5 in medication lock boxes are available upon request for folks located in Moscow. Email aod@uidaho.edu to request one.
• Medication Timer Cap Bottles: Medication bottles use a cap that automatically tracks the time since the bottle was last opened. This feature allows people to know when they last took their medication, preventing accidental misuse. This technology also acts a barrier for others that may want to use your medication without your knowledge.

Yes, Narcan is safe! Narcan, the brand name of the medication called naloxone, works by stopping opioids from binding to receptors and has no effect on someone that does not have opioids in their system. Narcan is safe to use on people of any age and pets and in any amount. It is not possible to develop a tolerance to Narcan.

Note that Narcan will not have an effect on non-opioid drugs like alcohol, stimulants or sedatives and will not reverse an overdose caused by non-opioid substances.

• Contact Vandal Health Education for more information
• Latah Recovery Center, located downtown Moscow
• Vandal Recovery, located at The Center — 24/7 access via outdoor box
• nextdistro.org – delivered by mail, some limitations apply

There are additional ways folks not located in Moscow can access Narcan.

• Search Idaho options near you by city or ZIP code.
• Nextdistro.org – delivered by mail nationally, some limitations apply.
• Or check with your local Public Health Department for further options.

Yes, each box of Narcan will have instructions for use written clearly on the box for easy reference.

Yes! It is approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and has been used by first-responders for years. In March of 2023 the FDA approved Narcan for over-the-counter, nonprescriptive use. This means it is now also eligible to be sold over-the-counter at pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stations.

Store at room temperature or refrigerate, ideally between 36° F to 77° F (2° C to 25° C).

• Do not freeze.
• Avoid excessive heat above 104° F (40° C).
• Protect from light.
• Avoid storing or leaving Narcan in a car as the temperatures can quickly exceed the limits.

(Narcan.com)

Yes, each box of Narcan will come with an expiration date. In August 2020 the FDA increased the approved shelf life of 4mg Narcan nasal spray from two to three years. However, experts have shown that as long as it has been properly stored, Narcan can be effective several years after its listed expiration date.

Narcan works best when not expired, but expired Narcan is always better than no Narcan.

Yes, a person does not need to be breathing for Narcan, the nasal spray, to work. Narcan is sprayed into the nose and the medication is absorbed there by the nasal mucosa, it does not need to be inhaled by the lungs for the medicine to work. (Narcan.com)

Support for yourself and/or someone you know is available on campus and beyond. If you consider the situation an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

VandalCARE: Submit a CARE Referral whenever you are concerned about a member of the campus community.  

Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC): University of Idaho students can receive a range of mental health services, including free and confidential counseling and faculty and staff trained to support students with alcohol and other drug concerns.

Employee Assistance Program: University of Idaho employees can access free and confidential counseling, referrals and online resources through the Employee Assistance Program.

CPR/AED and First Aid Training through the University of Idaho includes a section of training on how and when to use Narcan.

Email aod@uidaho.edu with your request for further training.