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Opioid Overdose Prevention

Stay safe and help keep others safe

In 2017, Bridgewater State University became the first college or university in the country to implement a public access Narcan® (generic name: naloxone) program. The anti-overdose drug is available in approximately 60 locations across campus, including inside all residence halls. Students, staff, and faculty can access naloxone at any time. It can be found in the same case as automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs), which are marked by this symbol on the campus map: Symbol of a heart with a lightning bolt in the center

In addition, there is naloxone on the exterior of parking lot monitor booths in the Moakley, West and Harrington Lots.

Delivered to someone overdosing, naloxone can bring the individual around within minutes and get them breathing regularly again. All the naloxone at BSU is nasal naloxone and easy to use.

Understanding how to use naloxone and prevent overdose is more important than ever, as the risk of opioid overdose has increased in recent years. The potent opioid fentanyl has infiltrated the street drug supply, including stimulants like cocaine and pills that look like prescription pills but are pressed illegally. Know how to stay safe and help keep others safe from opioid overdose.

Bridgewater State University Police Department offers overdose prevention training that includes how to use naloxone. Call them at 508.531.1212 if your department, club or other student group is interested in a training, or email Detective Sergeant Robert McEvoy at rmcevoy@bridgew.edu.

As part of BSU’s continued commitment to health and wellness, including overdose prevention on campus and in surrounding communities, the University joined the Massachusetts HEALing Communities opioid overdose prevention study and served as fiscal agent for the Brockton HEALing Communities Study from 2021-2022. Harm reduction and treatment resources were developed and centralized to help prevent overdose deaths in Brockton; they remain available for Brockton and regional organizations and individuals, as well as students, staff and faculty at BSU.

Here, you will find resources compiled for Brockton HEALing Communities with some customization for the BSU campus. Please contact the Wellness Center for more information.

Call 911 if you suspect an overdose.

In case of suspected overdose on campus or out in the community, call 911 immediately. If you have naloxone (Narcan), administer naloxone.  

Triangle with exclamation point in the center - warning symbol

Top signs of an opioid overdose

  • Non-responsive to voice and sternal chest rub (rubbing knuckles over collarbones).
  • Not breathing; or slow, shallow breaths. May make deep snoring or gurgling sound.
  • Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils."
A nasal spray bottle with a medical "plus" symbol

How to use naloxone

  1. Peel open package.
  2. Spray naloxone into person’s nostril: Hold spray device with thumb on bottom of red plunger and two fingers around the nozzle — don’t spray until the nozzle is in person’s nostril. Press red plunger firmly to release dose of naloxone into person’s nose.
  3. Wait two minutes for it to take effect. Person will start breathing and come to. If not, spray another dose in the other nostril, if you have a second dose of naloxone.
Note: Giving multiple doses of naloxone is sometimes necessary. If fentanyl is involved, because of its strength, overdoses can occur quickly and may require multiple doses of naloxone.

These are important harm reduction  strategies to promote life, safety, health and wellness among people who use drugs. If you are going to use, these tips can help keep you safe. If you know or encounter others using substances, these tips and tools can save their life.

Never Use Alone, and Know What Is in Your Drugs

Using alone increases the likelihood of dying of an overdose. If you or someone you know is planning to use drugs along, call the Never Use Alone hotline — 800.972.0590 — where nonjudgmental peers will stay on the phone with you and call for help if necessary.

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Carry Naloxone

Naloxone is a medicine that can save someone’s life if they are overdosing on opioids — whether it’s a prescription opioid, heroin, or a drug containing fentanyl. FDA approved forms of naloxone that are available include the nasal sprays Narcan® and Kloxxado, the ZIMHI prefilled syringe, and generic formulations that are used with a syringe or IV.

Naloxone is available over-the-counter from pharmacies in Massachusetts. Your insurance might cover all or some of the cost. There are also locations where you can obtain free naloxone It is good to have two containers on hand in case needed.

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Get Medication for Opioid Use Disorder

Each person has a personal path to recovery from opioid use disorder, and treatment with medication is a medical standard of care. People who stop using opioids often go back to using them if they do not use medication to help them. Stopping and then restarting opioid use increases the chance of dying from an overdose.

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Stand Up to Stigma: Words Matter

Stigma is the disapproval of, or discrimination against, a person based on a negative stereotype. Stigma often affects how people with opioid use disorder are treated, making it difficult for them to find jobs, places to live, and medical care. Even if unintentional, the hurtful words and actions of others can keep people who are struggling with addiction from getting help and staying in treatment for as long as they need it. 

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Dispose of Prescription Opioids

It is not safe to share unused medications with others, and it is important remove all leftover prescription pain medication from your home. Medication take-back drop boxes and events are the best way to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medicines that have passed their expiration date or are no longer needed.

All medicines dropped off at the drug disposal sites will be destroyed and discarded. Before disposing of medications, remove all personal information on the label of pill bottles or medicine packaging. To safely dispose of medicine at home, mix with coffee grounds or other unpalatable substances before disposing in the trash or check the FDA list for opioids that can be flushed down the toilet. You can also ask your local pharmacist for advice on how best to dispose of a specific medicine.

Resources for medication and drug disposal locations in Brockton, MA 

When a student is in crisis or feeling overwhelmed, Bridgewater offers resources and supports to help manage through difficult situations. Whether the issue is related to a student’s health, welfare, mental health, physical safety, financial insecurity or another concern, our CARE Team and other BSU professionals are here to help.

Students, families, faculty and staff are encouraged to review the Student Crisis Information and resources page for assisting a student in a crisis situation.