As a response to HB 2112 requiring higher education institutions to provide opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness, SPSCC has prepared this page focused on opioid education and awareness.

SPSCC's Opioid Response Plan

SPSCC is in compliance with the Department of Health's standing order to administer opioid overdose medication to individuals on campus who are experiencing an opioid overdose.

SPSCC will make available educational and awareness resources, as well as naloxone and fentanyl test strips. These will be available across campus for SPSCC students, staff, and faculty.

Education & Awareness Materials

StopOverdose.org is a project of the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology, and Research at the University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute.

In WA State, anyone trying to help in a medical emergency is generally protected from civil liabilities. That means that if you get medical help for an overdose or alcohol poisoning, you and the victim cannot be charged for drug use, possession, or underage drinking. Learn more about the Good Samaritan Law.

Signs of an Opioid Overdose

According to StopOverdose.org, there are several signs of opioid overdose: 

  • Won't wake up. Try rubbing your knuckles hard on their sternum.
  • Slow or no breathing.
  • Pale, ashy, cool skin.
  • Blue or grey lips or fingernails.

Help During an Overdose

To seek help for a suspected opioid overdose, call 911 immediately. Please also contact Campus Safety at 360-596-5299 after ending your call with 911. 

In the near future, SPSCC will make available naloxone and fentanyl test strips in key locations across campus.

Definitions

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription.

An increase in opioid medications has led to widespread misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opioids. Opioid overdose deaths in Washington State are the highest in the Pacific Northwest. Amongst youth, opioid deaths have tripled since 2019 and doubled in cases from 2021 to 2022.

Naloxone is a medicine that temporarily stops the effect of opioids. This helps a person start to breathe again and wake up from an opioid overdose. You can give naloxone to someone as an injection or nasal spray. It is often distributed under the name brand NARCAN®.

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.