{"id":1463,"date":"2024-02-09T11:12:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T16:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/ehs\/?page_id=1463"},"modified":"2024-03-06T09:21:15","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T14:21:15","slug":"narcan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/ehs\/narcan\/","title":{"rendered":"Narcan Info"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:<\/p>\n

The health and safety of faculty, staff, students and visitors is of primary importance. We write to share information with you about Ramapo College’s proactive commitment to making Naloxone (known by the brand name Narcan) available in key locations across campus.\u00a0 Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Please read on to learn more about the campus-wide education and prevention efforts.<\/p>\n

If you or someone you know is abusing opioids, please seek assistance. Support resources are noted at the bottom of this email.<\/p>\n

Facts about Opioid Overdose<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Opioid overdose is a serious health crisis. Examples of opioids are Heroin, Methadone, Fentanyl (Duragesic), Morphine, and prescription pain medications such as Codeine, Oxycodone (Percocet and OxyContin), Oxymorphone (Opana), Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco).<\/p>\n

According to the CDC<\/a>, in 2021, 45 people died each day from a prescription opioid overdose with a total of nearly 17,000 deaths. Additionally, more than 9,000 people died from a heroin overdose in the United States. Furthermore, nearly 71,000 drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (other than methadone) occurred in the United States, which is more deaths than from any other type of opioid. Many deaths from an opioid overdose can be prevented through the use of Naloxone.<\/p>\n

Naloxone\/Narcan Access<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan) is an important life saving measure. In 2019, the College made Naloxone available on-campus through the Department of Public Safety (carried by each officer) and in Health Services. In accordance with NJ\u2019s revised Overdose Prevention Act, increased access has been made possible through installation of<\/strong> Naloxone cabinets in the residence areas.\u00a0 A cabinet can be found in the lobbies of Mackin, Bischoff, Overlook, Laurel, Pine, The Lodge, and Thomases Commons)<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the American Red Cross, an AED is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.\u00a0 It is a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart\u2019s rhythm, and if necessary, deliver an electric shock (or defibrillation) to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the important work of the Student Government Association and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have an increased presence throughout campus. Information regarding the College\u2019s AED program, including a listing of locations on campus can be found here<\/a>.\u00a0 Naloxone is now included in all AED cabinets on campus.\u00a0 You will see a purple and white sticker on the front of the AED cabinet to denote that Naloxone is inside.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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How does Naloxone work?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Naloxone is a medicine used to reverse an opioid overdose.\u00a0 It is an opioid antagonist – meaning it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse or block their effects.\u00a0 Naloxone is safe, effective, and easy to use.\u00a0 Naloxone can be given regardless if the person has used opioids or not and there are no adverse side effects.\u00a0 If the recipient is physically dependent on opioids, they may experience withdrawal symptoms upon receiving Naloxone.\u00a0 Although uncomfortable, this is not usually life threatening.\u00a0 Under New Jersey law, the victim of an overdose, who was saved by Naloxone, is required to be sent to the hospital.\u00a0 Please be aware of the College\u2019s Student Good Samaritan Policy (explained below).<\/p>\n

Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Abuse and Overdose<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you suspect an opioid overdose, immediately call 911 or Public Safety 201-684-6666 and retrieve the closest Naloxone.\u00a0 Check for signs of overdose by asking if the person is okay, shouting their name, and shaking their shoulders.\u00a0 Common signs of opioid overdose may include:<\/p>\n