The USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences announced Tuesday that they will be resuming the distribution of naloxone in a week-long event called “NaloxoneSC.” The medicine counteracts opioid overdose.
Chief Student Health Officer Dr. Sarah Van Orman announced the program in a briefing, calling it an effort to fight against the country’s ever-present fentanyl crisis.
“Our last estimates [pre-pandemic] are that maybe somewhere around 5% to 10% of undergraduates might be using a combination of either cocaine or other prescription drugs that were not prescribed to them or ecstasy or other things,” Van Orman said. “So that’s a small number, but it’s not zero.”
Naloxone, which comes in the form of a nasal spray, is more commonly known by its brand name NARCAN. Drug overdose by fentanyl is usually accidental, as fentanyl is used to enhance the effect of other drugs such as cocaine, heroin and oxycodone.
The naloxone kits will be distributed at the Trojan Farmers Market in the McCarthy Quad every Wednesday through April 5. The kits will include test strips that can detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. After watching a 10-minute training video, taking a short quiz and signing an attestation form, students can pick up their naloxone kits.
Van Orman also mentioned “The Haven,” an outpatient substance abuse program that partners with USC to help students overcome alcohol and drug addiction.
“They’re really dedicated to treating students and helping students who might be in recovery from a substance use disorder, continue to be in school,” Van Orman said. “Their clinic and their facility is located really close to campus. So that’s another great resource for students.”
Van Orman said it’s important students realize it only takes using a drug one time to overdose on fentanyl.
“I think sometimes people think, ‘Oh, I’m just using once or I never use or I don’t have a drug problem, right? I don’t have any addiction concerns or I’m not concerned about my use,’” Van Orman said. “And so they may not have the same level of awareness.”
Ian Wisecarver, a freshman majoring in aerospace engineering, says that while naloxone “sounds like a good thing to have on hand” in the event of an overdose, he is worried about possible side effects of its usage.
“If any side effects happen with the [naloxone] that could obviously be pretty bad, but having it on hand might help save some people,” Wisecarver said. “I don’t know, at least on paper it sounds like a good idea.”
Jared Smith, a freshman majoring in human biology, is happy that the university is offering support for students who have a substance abuse issue.
“It seems like it’s a great resource for those who are struggling with drug abuse,” Smith said. “I think that we need to let it be known that those who struggle with drug abuse, they have people there to support them and love them, and this is just a resource that can help them when they’re struggling.”
Van Orman hopes that those who know drug users will familiarize themselves with naloxone and be prepared in the event that it’s needed. She said that even if students are not using drugs, they may know some who do.
“So I encourage those individuals to become familiar with it, to have naloxone, to be comfortable using it, because they might be able to respond in an emergency and really save someone’s life,” Van Orman said.