HOUSTON – A state program, Naloxone Texas, is rolling out an initiative this fall to distribute free naloxone and provide overdose response training to students, faculty, and staff at colleges across Texas.
Naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan) is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and save lives when administered quickly.
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The program targets public and private universities, community colleges, and trade schools in response to the growing opioid crisis among young adults.
“Naloxone is more than a medication. It’s a tool that empowers students, friends, and communities to save lives,” said Tara E. Karns-Wright, PhD, MS, director of Naloxone Texas and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UT San Antonio.
“At Naloxone Texas, we believe every college campus should be equipped with the knowledge and resources to respond to an opioid overdose,” Dr. Karns-Wright added. “Thanks to the generous support of our funders at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Legislature, we’re making this life-saving medication more accessible and helping everyone become first responders in moments that matter most.”
What the initiative offers
- Free naloxone distribution: Naloxone kits are available at no cost to both organizations and individuals, with a priority on areas at higher risk for overdose based on county-level data.
- Evidence-based training: On-demand virtual modules teach participants how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, making it easy for campuses to train students, faculty, and staff on their own schedule.
- Referrals to treatment and recovery services: The program connects people to adolescent and adult treatment and recovery support services through the Be Well Clinic and the Be Well Texas Provider Network, both of which offer virtual and in-person care for substance use.
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Campus outreach and events
College administrators, student health services, and campus organizations are encouraged to request free naloxone kits and schedule training sessions by visiting their website.
Funding and support
This initiative is made possible through funding from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and support from the Texas Legislature.