To provide the community resources that may prevent opioid overdose fatalities, the Counseling Center plans to host more naloxone trainings on campus.
Michelle DeRosa|Courtesy
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) held a naloxone training session in the Pierce Suite on Jan. 30 to teach protocol to community members. Naloxone–sometimes referred to by a brand name of Narcan–is a medication that can temporarily block an opioid overdose and revive someone suffering from an opioid overdose.
The training was twofold, with a short session from the VDH on general naloxone use and a college-focused presentation from the counseling center.
The VDH emphasized that administering naloxone may take more than one nasal spray to revive someone, as it depends on the amount of opioids a person has taken. The VDH also informed attendees that naloxone would have no effect on those without opioids in their system, including no negative reaction, and that naloxone could be used to treat a pet that had ingested opioids.
The VDH discussed how Good Samaritan laws apply to those administering naloxone and the person needing medical attention.
While purchasing naloxone from a pharmacy over the counter costs about $50, the VDH makes naloxone available for free to anyone who goes to a health department run by them.
“I’m really grateful that the university is providing students with this opportunity,” junior Kaza Dayton said after participating in the training.
The event coordinators intend on repeating the hour-long training semesterly as a cooperative event with the VDH and the counseling center, with more in-depth training being held as interest develops.
Michelle DeRosa, the director of Counseling and Student Health, spoke about groups on college campuses that are at high risk for recreational drug use and the possibility of these drugs being contaminated with fentanyl. DeRosa also discussed patient confidentiality in the counseling center.
“This is what makes movement and change happen,” DeRosa said during the training.
According to DeRosa, the counseling center will potentially work with the VDH to host “train the trainer” classes to educate participants on teaching others how to administer naloxone.
These courses would allow VWU to not “rely on the Virginia Beach Department of Health to come and coordinate,” DeRosa said.
DeRosa said that alongside education, the counseling center is attempting to make naloxone available to students in the case of an emergency. Security, the Counseling Center and the Student Health Clinic will have naloxone available for use if needed.
Aiden Croghan|Marlin Chronicle
DeRosa emphasized making Narcan accessible “in a way that makes sense to our student body.”
“The challenges of getting it on campus was mostly just trying to coordinate schedules and see where we’re going to carry the Narcan,” DeRosa said.
“I think that giving students the resources to do something about an emergency situation is really important,” Dayton said.
“I’m really happy how it turned out. I can’t wait to provide more access,” DeRosa said. During the first week of classes, 22 people attended the training.
Attendees listen to the Narcan training presentation, collaboratively hosted by VWU Student Health and the Virginia Beach Department of Health.
Michelle DeRosa|Courtesy
By Clay Yokom
