Prevent Opioid Overdose
Gavilan College has resources available for students and employees to learn how to recognize and prevent opioid overdose. Student Health Services offers free fentanyl test strips and free opioid overdose medication, Narcan Nasal Spray, to keep on hand if you or someone close to you is at risk for opioid overdose. Anyone who uses opioids can be at risk for opioid overdose.
Request Fentanyl Test Strips and Narcan Here
Facts about Opioid Overdose
- 70% of all drug overdose deaths in the US involve opioids.
- Opioid drugs include fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, tramadol, codeine, morphine, and methadone.
- Overdosing on these drugs depresses the brain's respiratory drive. Breathing slows excessively or stops. Death is caused by lack of oxygen.
- Anyone can save a life during an opioid overdose by learning how to administer Narcan (naloxone), a drug that reverses the effects of opioids and restores breathing. Narcan can be given through a nasal spray.
- To reduce the risk of death from opioid overdose, it is recommended by the FDA that the following people carrying naloxone:
- Individuals who take opioids and are at-risk for opioid overdose.
- Friends, family, and caregivers of individuals who take opioids.
- For more information, visit California Department of Public Health.
Factsheet: Opioid Overdose Prevention on College Campuses
Helping a Friend with a Drug Problem
- Look for signs of addiction such as changes in appearance (sudden weight loss or gain, needle marks, frequent nose bleeds, lack of hygiene) and behavior (extreme mood changes, risky activities, isolation, neglecting responsibilities).
- Encourage your friend to seek professional help for addiction and medical detox
- If your friend is misusing opioids, get Narcan Nasal Spray, a medication used to treat an opioid overdose.
- If you suspect an opioid overdose, call 911 and administer Narcan.
- Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Unresponsiveness or unconscious.
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing.
- Small, constricted, pinpoint pupils.
- Vomiting or making choking sounds.
- Pale, cold, or clammy skin.
- Blue, purple, or grayish fingernails, lips, or skin.
- Limp body.
- Slowed or absent pulse.
Follow B-L-U-E if you think someone is having an overdose:
B – Breathing is shallow or absent.
L – Lips are pale, blue, or purple.
U – Unresponsive to verbal & physical stimuli.
E – Needs immediate emergency care.
Reducing Harm if You Use Drugs
- Do not use drugs alone.
- Always carry naloxone, keep in an easily accessible place, and ensure friends and family know where and how to use it.
- Have a plan with others every time you use in case of an overdose.
- Test your drugs for fentanyl with fentanyl test strips.
- Do not mix drugs or use with alcohol.
- Use sterile syringes when injecting drugs.
- Find treatment and support
How to Obtain Free Nasal Narcan 
Contact Gavilan College Health Services. You may also complete the training on your own by following these steps:
- View California Department of Public Health's training video, Administering Naloxone.
- Complete the Narcan Training Attestation Form.
- A Student Health Services staff member will receive an email notification that you completed the Narcan Training Attestation Form. You will then receive an email with information about picking up Narcan from Student Health Services.
How to Obtain Free Fentanyl Test Strips
As of January 1, 2024, fentanyl test strips are available over-the counter in Student Health Services, fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables).
To obtain FTS, students and employees may call (408) 848-4898, email studenthealth@gavilan.edu, or go to the Student Health Services office (SC 125).
Click here to learn more about Fentanyl test strips.
How to Test Drugs for Fentanyl to Prevent Overdose
Fentanyl test strips (‘FTS’) are a form of inexpensive drug testing technology that was originally developed for
urinalysis, but which have been shown to be effective at detecting the presence of fentanyl and fentanyl-analogs in drug samples prior to ingestion. In order to use the strips, testers dissolve a small amount of substance in water, and then dip the test strip into the liquid for 15 seconds. Because the test strips are highly sensitive, a minimal amount of drug residue is sufficient to obtain a result. The test strip is then set on a flat surface until results appear, typically within 5 minutes. One line indicates fentanyl is present in the sample; two lines indicate a negative result.
Video Demonstration: How to Use Fentanyl Test Strips
Download CDPH's Fentanyl Testing to Prevent Overdose (PDF) fact sheet and Fentanyl and Fentanyl Test Strips FAQs (PDF).
Campus Opioid Safety Act
Senate Bill (SB) 367, known as the Campus Opioid Safety Act (Act) (Education Code 77384) aims to reduce opioid-related overdoses and deaths through public colleges and universities providing life-saving education, information, and federally approved opioid overdose reversal medication on campus. The law is in effect as of January 1, 2023.
Gavilan College participates in the Naloxone Distribution Program through the California Department of Public Health and was issued a standing order in 2023. The standing order was issued by the state Public Health Officer (authorized by California Civil Code Section 1714.22) to:
- allow community organizations and other entities in California to distribute naloxone to a person at risk of an opioid-related overdose or to a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist; and
- allow for the administration of naloxone by a family member, friend, or other person to a person
experiencing or reasonably suspected of experiencing an opioid overdose.
To learn more about the Campus Opioid Safety Act, click here.
Assembly Bill (AB) 461, Student Safety: Fentanyl Test Strips took effect January 1, 2024. AB 461 amends ED Code 77384 by including notification, education, and information about the use and location of fentanyl test strips on college campuses.
California Good Samaritan Policy
Under California Health and Safety Code 11376.5, a person will not be charged with drug possession or use crimes if that person: acts in good faith, and seeks medical assistance/emergency medical services for another person experiencing a drug-related overdose. This law was designed to encourage a witness of a drug-related overdose to call 911 or seek emergency help in a timely manner to save the life of the overdose victim. For more information: Understanding California’s 911 Good Samaritan Law.
Resources
If you or someone you know if struggling with a substance use disorder, and you would like to learn more about treatment and referral services, check out the following resources:
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741. Free 24/7 support
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Santa Clara County’s Harm Reduction Program
- San Benito County Opioid Task Force
- Harm Reduction Coalition
- NextDistro-Online mail-based harm reduction service
- Narcotics Anonymous
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- CDC: Stop Overdose
- CDC: Stigma Reduction
- CDPH: Overdose Prevention Initiative (OPI)
- CDPH: Fentanyl
- CDPH: Fentanilo (en español)
- CDPH: About Naloxone
- CDPH: Naloxona (en español)
- CDPH: Hotlines & Overdose Prevention and Education (PDF)
- Safe Project: Collegiate Recovery Communities and students in recovery