Naloxone Distribution Project
Naloxone and fentanyl test strips are free to pick-up at the Triton Health and Wellness Building. Visit Health Promotion Services on the third floor. Watch an informational video and complete the knowledge check prior to pick-up. Fall quarter drop in hours are Mondays 9–11 a.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
If you or someone you care about needs support around drug use or would like to learn more about harm reduction, check out our Health Coaching service.
For questions regarding the service, please email HPS at hps@health.ucsd.edu.
How to Reverse Opioid Overdose: Naloxone and Rescue Breathing from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Signs of an Opioid Overdose
- Unconscious or unresponsive
- Bluish or ashen fingertips, fingernails, or lips
- Slowed breathing or no breathing
- Cold, clammy skin
- Snoring or gurgling noise
- Pinpoint (very small) pupils
You may not know for sure if someone is having an opioid overdose. All of these signs may not be present. You should still administer naloxone. Naloxone will not hurt someone if they are not having an opioid overdose.
Where do I go for help?
If ever there is an emergency, you are encouraged to call 911 immediately. UC San Diego has the Medical Amnesty Policy and the State of California has the Good Samaritan Law. These state that students who call for help and those who need help will generally not be sanctioned for violations associated with the incident.
Medical Amnesty Policy
Students are strongly encouraged to seek medical assistance for emergencies related to alcohol, controlled substances, COVID-19 tracing, or Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment by contacting the closest University or Public Official (e.g., R.A./H.A., Staff, law enforcement, etc.), campus police at 858-534-HELP (4357), or 911. Students who are afraid to seek help because of violations of the Student Conduct Procedures will not be subject to the formal student conduct process, so long as they are seeking help for themselves or others under the Medical Amnesty Program. For more information: Medical Amnesty Program (MAP).
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.
Responding to an Overdose
- Try to wake the person.
- If the person is unresponsive, administer the first dose of naloxone.
- Insert the nozzle into the person's nostril and firmly press the plunger until you hear a click.
- Then call 911. Explain what you are witnessing (i.e., the person is unconscious and is not breathing) and that you gave them a dose of naloxone.
- If the person is not breathing, perform rescue breathing.
- Tilt the person’s head back, open their mouth, and pinch their nose.
- Give 2 breaths into their mouth.
- Then give 1 breath every 5 seconds.
- After 2-3 minutes, if the person does not wake up, administer the second dose of naloxone in the opposite nostril.
- If the person is still not breathing, continue rescue breathing until help arrives.
Have you used the naloxone from the Health Promotion Services’ Naloxone Distribution Project?
If so, please report the usage at this link. This will help us better understand how to serve the UC San Diego community. All responses are anonymous.
