UNB spreads naloxone kits around campuses

The University of New Brunswick has placed nasal spray naloxone kits around its campuses for emergency opioid overdose situations.

The kits were already available in Saint John residences, said Kathy Wilson, the vice-provost, learning and student experience, at UNB. After conversations with Public Health, the university decided it was time to implement them on a wider level.

"Given the national opioid crisis and the fact that universities are a microcosm of the communities that we're situated in, we really believed it would be naive to believe that our community wasn't affected by the same risks," Wilson said.

"So we decided that we would roll out a more comprehensive, accessible harm reduction program that includes educational components on both of our campuses, in our residences and at our UNB Moncton site."

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a fast-acting medication that can reverse or reduce the effects of opioid overdose. The medication only works with opioids, which can include drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and codeine. 

Wilson said university security staff have carried naloxone for a while now, but putting 30 kits around campuses and in residences would make it more accessible while someone waits for help to arrive.

Laura MacNeill, the executive director of Avenue B Harm Reduction Inc. in Saint John, said she commends UNB for expanding its program and hopes other universities follow suit.

"It's undoubtedly going to save lives and also sends a powerful message that every life is worth protecting," MacNeill said.

She said as education in the community about naloxone continues, people are becoming more open to carrying naloxone with them in case of emergency.

MacNeill said when considering administering naloxone to someone, check for signs of an overdose, which can include unresponsiveness or unconsciousness, slow or shallow breathing and blueish lips and fingernails.

She said if you're unsure if someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, it's better to administer the medication. It won't cause harm to someone who isn't overdosing.

NacNeill said it's important to call 911 immediately before or after administering the drug.

Wilson said 26 of the kits have been located in laces with defibrillators and EpiPens, but maps of the locations can be found on the UNB website or by accessing the UNB Safe app. 

She said the university also offers in-depth training on campus to teach people how to administer naloxone, and students will get individual kits to carry with them after this training.

"With any harm reduction program, education is a key part," Wilson said.

Wilson said there haven't been any reported overdoses on campus, but this doesn't mean students haven't used their own naloxone kits in emergency situations. 

She said there's no evidence to suggest that having naloxone readily available increases opioid use, so it was better to have it there than not.

"People who are engaging in risk-taking behaviours are not always considering the long-term consequences of that, so we want that immediate response to be available," Wilson said.

"We wanted people to know where those kits are and to use them readily without fear because not having them available, as you know, the outcome is disastrous."