In case of emergency, please call 9-1-1 and then call Bates Tech Campus Public Safety at 253.680.7111.
Bates Technical College faculty, staff, and students can access free naloxone (NARCAN®) on campus to help prevent opioid overdose.
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. Bates Technical 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, Bates Tech became a state-recognized distribution site enabling us to supply lifesaving Naloxone on our campuses.
Why does Bates Tech 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.
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.
Click here to download overdose prevention and Narcan awareness posters. Print and display them to help raise awareness.
Free naloxone (NARCAN®) available on Bates Technical College campuses
Faculty, staff, and students can access free NARCAN® on campus at the following locations:
- Auditorium Lobby, Downtown Campus
- ASG wellness vending machines, South and Downtown Campus
- Student Services Office, Central Campus
Persons requesting free NARCAN® are not required to provide their name or other information to obtain the medication. A maximum of two doses may be requested per week.
Questions? Call Campus Public Safety at 253.680.7111.
Campus Public SafetyRecognizing 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 Bates Technical College’s students and employees
We’re making Fentanyl test strips available as part of Bates Tech’s public health efforts to protect our community and stay compliant with upcoming statewide standing orders for naloxone distribution.
Students, staff and faculty may access test strips where naloxone is available on campus.
- 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.
Washington’s Good Samaritan Law provides some protection when calling 9-1-1 to save a life — even if drugs are at the scene. (RCW 69.50.315). You should give naloxone to anyone who has taken drugs and may be overdosing.
Good Samaritan Law FAQs *
Does the law protect against any other charges?
No. The law does not protect you from outstanding warrants, probation or parole violations, drug manufacture or delivery, controlled substances homicide, or crimes other than drug possession.
If I don’t call 911 but I take the overdose victim to the emergency room, will the law still apply?
The immunity applies to any good faith effort to seek medical help such as calling 911, taking the overdose victim to an emergency room, or running to get a neighbor who is a nurse.
Does the law apply if the person dies from the overdose?
As long as you seek medical help in good faith, you’ll receive immunity from drug possession charges. However, if you’re the person who gave the victim the drugs that caused the overdose, you may be charged with controlled substances homicide. If you are found guilty, however, the judge may consider your efforts to help when deciding the length of your sentence.
Under this law, could someone under age 21 be cited for alcohol possession if they call 911 due to a likely alcohol overdose at a party?
The 911 Good Samaritan Overdose law was amended in 2013 to also apply to alcohol poisoning. Even if you’re under the age of 21, you cannot be charged with possession of alcohol as a minor if you call 911 to help someone suffering from alcohol poisoning. The victim of alcohol poisoning is also protected.
Is naloxone legal in Washington state?
Yes. RCW 69.41.095 says any person or “entity” (e.g., police department, homeless shelter) can obtain, possess, and administer naloxone. It also permits naloxone distribution under a prescriber’s standing order.
* Taken with thanks from www.stopoverdose.org.