|
Key Takeaways
- CA law requires most public colleges to provide opioid prevention education and have naloxone available on campus.
- Colleges can get free naloxone through state programs or purchase it.
- Partnering with community groups is encouraged for prevention education support.
- Toolkits, training, and resources are available to help campuses implement programs.
|
Campus Opioid Safety Act
Senate Bill (SB) 367, also called the Campus Opioid Safety Act (Act), helps prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths at public colleges and universities. It requires certain schools provide life-saving education, information, and federally approved opioid overdose reversal medication on campus.
The law applies to community college districts (CCDs) and California State University (CSU) campuses. The University of California (UC) system is encouraged to do the same.
The law has been in effect since January 1, 2023.
What Colleges Need to Do
To follow the Act, certain college campuses in California must:
- Provide students with opioid overdose educational and prevention information, such as during orientation.
- Make sure federally approved opioid overdose reversal medication, such as naloxone, is available on campus.
Campuses must work with campus and community-based recovery or advocacy groups to provide:
- Information about opioid overdose prevention.
- Where and how students can access opioid overdose reversal medication (naloxone) on campus.
Naloxone Distribution
The Act requires each CCD and CSU campus health center to:
- Apply to use the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) statewide standing order for naloxone* (standing order), which allows campuses to distribute federally approved opioid overdose reversal medication, like naloxone.
- Participate in the Department of Health Care Services' (DHCS) Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) to receive federally approved opioid overdose reversal medication at no cost.
Once approved for both the standing order and NDP, campus health centers shall begin distributing naloxone under the terms of the program. The Act requests the UC system to do the same.
*A standing order is no longer needed to acquire NARCAN® naloxone nasal spray, or other approved over-the-counter naloxone nasal sprays, however it can provide additional liability protections, see:
CA Civil Code Section 1714.22. All other formulations and dosages of naloxone, including intramuscular naloxone, remain available by prescription or a standing order to distribute.
How to get Naloxone for Your Campus
DHCS Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP)
College campuses can
apply to the DHCS Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) to receive
free naloxone kits. Review the NDP FAQs (PDF) to learn more.
CalRx®
The CalRx program, in collaboration with Amneal Pharmaceuticals, offers over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone nasal spray for all California individuals, businesses, and government organizations at $19 per twin-pack. For purchase details and requirements, please visit the
CalRx website.
Over-the-Counter (OTC)
In California,
naloxone is available OTC without a prescription at pharmacies, grocery and convenience stores, gas stations, or online retailers.
Other Ways to Get Naloxone
Learn more about naloxone purchasing options from these providers:
Naloxone Resources
Overdose Prevention Education Resources
These resources offer information on preventing substance use and overdoses. If your college or university would like to add substance prevention resources to this page, please contact opi@cdph.ca.gov.
Substance Use Prevention
Fentanyl Awareness
Toolkit
Harm Reduction
Additional Resources
Narcan® is a registered trademark of Emergent Operations Ireland Limited.