Opioid Response Plan

About

In Summer 2023 the FDA approved over-the counter Naloxone-the medical name for the brand NARCAN®. Washington state has also released tens of millions of dollars to fund opioid recovery programs throughout the state. Tacoma Community College has joined a growing number of local and state institutions that are utilizing such programs to mitigate the problem at home and to educate and train staff and students on what to look out for and even provide life-saving treatment in the event of an opioid overdose. In March 2024, TCC became a state recognized distribution site enabling us to supply lifesaving Naloxone on campus. 

Why does TCC need Naloxone distribution programs? Washington state has the highest per capita opioid overdose deaths in the Pacific Northwest and those rates have been climbing in recent years. Even worse, the rates for youth opioid deaths in Washington state have tripled since 2019 and doubled in cases from 2021 to 2022. Pierce county has some of the highest numbers in the state.

Our goal, as the Community’s College, is to be prepared for anything that may happen to our thousands of students, visitors, and employees, but to also serve the broader community. TCC supports public health approaches as informed by state, local, and national professionals and believe mitigation and education is the best way to combat the opioid epidemic. Naloxone, as supplies are available, will be made to anyone who requests it, no questions asked. 

Naloxone is a medication that can save lives by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. Some examples of opioids are heroin, fentanyl, methadone, OxyContin®, and Vicodin®. You can give naloxone to someone as an injection or nasal spray. RCW 69.41.095 permits any person or “entity” (e.g., police department, homeless shelter) to obtain, possess, and administer naloxone. It also permits naloxone distribution under a prescriber’s standing order.

Recognizing Opioid Overdose

An opioid overdose may lead to symptoms that may resemble other medical emergencies such as alcohol poisoning or overdose of sedatives. So, learning to recognize the symptoms of opioid overdose is important.

Classic Signs of Opioid Overdose Include:

• Pinpoint (tiny) pupils
• Loss of consciousness
• Problems breathing or not breathing at all

Other Signs of Opioid Overdose May Include:

• Blue or purplish fingernails or lips
• Limp extremities
• Vomiting or gurgling sounds

Treating Opioid Overdose

If you suspect a person is a victim of opioid overdose, you should:

Step 1 - Identify Opioid Overdose and Check for Response

• Ask person if he or she is okay and shout name.
• Shake shoulders and firmly rub the middle of their chest.
• Check for signs of an opioid overdose.
• Lay the person on their back to receive a dose of NARCAN® Nasal Spray.

Step 2 - Give NARCAN® Nasal Spray

• Remove NARCAN® Nasal Spray from the box. Peel back the tab with the circle to open the NARCAN® Nasal Spray.
• Hold the NARCAN® Nasal Spray with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
• Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into either nostril. Tilt the person’s head back and provide support under the neck with your hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril, until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose.
• Press the plunger firmly to give the dose of NARCAN® Nasal Spray.
• Remove the NARCAN® Nasal Spray from the nostril after giving the dose.

Step 3 - Call for Emergency Medical Help, and Support

• Call 911: Get emergency medical help right away.
• Move the person on their side (recovery position) after giving NARCAN® Nasal Spray.
• Watch the person closely.
• If the person does not respond by waking up, to voice or touch, or breathing normally another dose may be given. NARCAN® Nasal Spray may be dosed every 2 to 3 minutes, if available.
• Repeat Step 2 using a new NARCAN® Nasal Spray to give another dose in the other nostril. If additional NARCAN® Nasal Sprays are available, repeat step 2 every 2 to 3 minutes until the person responds or emergency medical help is received.

Naloxone can rapidly reverse the overdose effects and restore normal breathing. However, Naloxone is effective for only 30-60 minutes. So, emergency care is still important to ensure that the victim of an overdose does not revert to their overdose state.

Administering Naloxone to a person who may be suffering from alcohol poisoning or sedative overdose will not harm them — but it will also not help them. Calling 911 to request emergency services is critical.

Fentanyl Test Strips Now Available to TCC Students and Employees

We’re making Fentanyl test strips available as part of TCC’s public health efforts to protect our community and stay compliant with upcoming statewide standing orders for Naloxone distribution.

Students, Staff and Faculty may request a test strips by visiting the Campus Safety Customer Service Counter.

• Fentanyl test strips may also be purchased online from DanceSafe and Dosetest.
• Some WA State syringe services programs provide fentanyl test strips. 

If used correctly, test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in many different drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). Test strips can be a useful harm reduction tool for people who use drugs. Remember that no test is 100% accurate and your drugs may still contain fentanyl or fentanyl analogs even with a negative result. You should still take caution as Fentanyl Test Strips might not detect more potent fentanyl-like drugs, like carfentanil, and fentanyl might not be everywhere in your drugs and a test could miss it.

Visit Campus Public Safety in Building 14 to access this resource.