Operation Naloxone: Bringing Opioid Awareness and Overdose Prevention to College Campuses

Texas Overdose

Naloxone Initiative

Lori Holleran Steiker, Ph.D. & Lucas Hill, Ph.D

NAADAC 2017 Annual Conference – September 23, 2017

Background & Significance

• Between 1993-2005, the percentage of college students using & misusing prescription drugs increased exponentially; #s continue to rise

• Use of opioids increased 343% (Clinton Health Matters Initiative, 2014)

• 50% of college students are offered a prescription drug for non-medical use by their sophomore year (Arria, 2008)

• Problem most prevalent among highly selective, urban colleges

• In surveys, college students who took an opioid for reasons other than for pain relief had a much greater risk (~5x) of experiencing three or more drug-use related problems (McCabe et al, 2008)

Setting the foundation: • Discussions with campus administrators • Mandatory training of all Resident Advisors on campus and a

training of off-campus dorm RAs. • Initial training on recognition of overdose signs, calling for

help, and rescue breathing. • UT Mental Health Center staff training • Undergraduate course, “Young People and Drugs,”

– UT students worked with community experts to gather data and further community and campus peer education about overdose prevention.

Interdisciplinary Team • The Associate Vice President for Student Affairs created a Task Force:

UT Social Work Texas Opioid Naloxone Initiative Texas Harm Reduction Coalitions UT Pharmacy UT Greek Life UT Wellness Network UT Center for Students in Recovery (CSR) – Collegiate Recovery Program UT Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) UT Housing & Food Services Police: UTPD and APD New UT Dell Medical School Pop-Up Institute

Momentum . . . The UT Student Government unanimously passed a Naloxone Bill for a standing order

to be written for 40 acres Pharmacy on Campus and standing orders have been written for local pharmacies.

The Committee for Opioid Safety and Overdose Prevention (COSOP) formed drawing in more stakeholders

The mission: By emphasizing compassionate care, open dialogues, and evidence-based research, The University of Texas at Austin hopes to combat the opioid overdose epidemic, promote safe opioid use, and reduce stigma and discrimination against opioid users.

Our primary areas of focus include harm reduction education, naloxone training and distribution, and connection to health care and recovery services.

OperationNaloxone.Org has been established and project student leadership has been enhanced

Trainings on and off campus – RAs and UTPD Online CE videos for professionals State grants for enhancement of the website, trainings throughout Texas, and Naloxone

distribution

Obtaining and Distributing Naloxone • Relationships with varied NARCAN

companies • Securing best Naloxone for relelvant

populations at best cost • Fast acquisition and distribution in crisis

situations (e.g., Hurricane Harvey)

UT Police Department Trainings

Dissemination • Media Coverage • Texas Overdose Awareness Day • Website: OperationNaloxone.Org • Publications • Interdisiplinary work • Pop-Up Institute • Trainings: IPE, pharmacy, social work,

conferences

Recommendations: • College campuses have an obligation to provide education • College campuses must invest and provide resources to make

young adults and campus employees aware and prepared • Teams must find ways to collaborate and achieve effective

communication and networking between community experts, academic specialists, researchers, students, faculty, staff and university administrators.

• Overdose Prevention trainings exist and can be tailored for university groups.

• Creatively overcome challenges of weaving policy, practice, and research for further impact on college campuses.

• We need to act quickly. There are lives to be saved.

Referrals and Resources • Peer Coaches • Treatment Centers • Detox • Recovery ATX and TONI • DAPAs • Pharmacy Recovery Network

Collaborators • Collaborating Faculty

Joseph Sanchez, RecoveryATX Mark Kinzly, TONI Charles Thibodeaux, TONI Nile Barnes, PharmD, BCPS, EMT-P Veronica Young, PharmD, MPH Kirk Evoy, PharmD, BCACP Katie Sanders, DNP

• Sierra Castedo, MA, UT Center for Students in Recovery

• Student Leaders Director: Lubna Mazin Austin Chairs: Lisa Garcia, Caitie Labay San Antonio Chairs: Khine Tun, Thuy Nguyen, Kimberly Nguyen Rio Grande Valley Chair: Ayesha Araya Founding Directors: Andrea Laguado, John Patrick Sanchez

Contact Information • OperationNaloxone.Org • Texas Overdose Naloxone Initiative (TONI) http://www.texasoverdosenaloxoneinitiative.com/ • Lori Holleran Steiker, Ph.D. (UT School of Social Work)

lorikay@mail.utexas.edu (512) 415-7308 • Lucas Hill, Ph.D (UT College of Pharmacy) lucas.hill@austin.utexas.edu • Mark Kinzly, Patient Advocate markkinzly022@gmail.com (860) 724-5339