Learn how to identify an overdose, administer nasal naloxone, and perform rescue breathing at an Overdose Prevention Training.
Help make BU and Boston a safer place for people who use opioids. Overdose Prevention Training is tailored to the BU community and includes information about where and how to access naloxone, local and university policies that support help-seeking, and more.
Free and open to all BU students, faculty, and staff. All trainings are held on Zoom. Register for a date below with your BU email address. Sponsored by BU Student Health Services and the Faculty & Staff Assistance Office. Zoom registration coming soon.
Training Dates for Fall 2024:
- Thursday, September 19th | 3-4 pm
- Friday, October 4th | 4-5 pm
- Friday, October 18th | 3-4 pm
- Tuesday, October 29th | 4-5 pm
- Thursday, November 14th | 6-7 pm
Resources
Steps for responding to an overdose with naloxone
- Stimulate the person awake
- Call 911 and tell dispatch that the person is not breathing
- Administer naloxone
- Perform rescue breathing
- Get the person in the recovery position (if the person begins to breathe), and re-administer naloxone (as needed)
- Overdose aftercare, including letting them know what has happened
Protections for Getting Help
BU Good Samaritan Policy
Get help without being afraid – even if you’re under 21.
Boston University wants all students to be safe and look out for one another. The policy says, “When a BU student seeks help for themselves or others who’ve used alcohol or drugs, neither student will receive a sanction for alcohol or drug use, as long as they complete an educational or counseling program on campus.”
Massachusetts Good Samaritan Law
The Massachusetts Good Samaritan Law provides protection from arrest or prosecution for drug possession to encourage those who see a friend or stranger overdose to seek emergency medical help. The goal is to save lives and protect people so they call 911 right away.
Accessing Naloxone
Naloxone in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts there is a standing order that allows people to access naloxone through a pharmacy without a prescription. Consider going to a larger pharmacy, which may be more likely to have naloxone in stock.
Pharmacies close to campus include:
- CVS Pharmacy, 900 Commonwealth Ave.
- BMC Pharmacy at Shapiro, 725 Albany St.
- CVS Pharmacy (within Target) at 1341 Boylston Street
Naloxone outside of Massachusetts
Naloxone access may be different in different places. There is no federal standing order to allow individuals to access naloxone without a prescription, and access can vary state-by-state. Learn more about how you can access Naloxone in different states.
Naloxone Cost
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Students who have the BU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) can access generic naloxone for free (no copay at pharmacy). To verify this information yourself: Call Member Services at 800-966-7772, or send a message through Aetna’s online portal.
Health Insurance
Other insurance providers may cover the full cost of Naloxone. (such as MassHealth). Learn more about how your health insurance covers naloxone by reaching out to Member Services about your benefits.
Without insurance, at a pharmacy
Without insurance, Naloxone kits can cost $30 – $50 (cost can vary) for two doses/one box of generic naloxone.
BU Resources for Support
BU Behavioral Medicine
BU students can connect with a mental health professional if you’re concerned about your own substance use, or if you’re concerned about a loved one’s substance use and would like support
BU Collegiate Recovery Program | recovery@bu.edu
A community of BU students in recovery from substance use
BU Health Promotion & Prevention | | shs-hpp@bu.edu
More information for BU students about alcohol & other substance use
BU Faculty & Staff Assistance Office | fsao@bu.edu
Services for BU faculty & staff, including: free and confidential short-term counseling, referrals for mental health and substance use treatment, and referrals to community resources