Board of Regents Policy Opioid Overdose Prevention and Awareness Policy

The Board of Regents for Higher Education (“BOR”) in conjunction with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (“CSCU”) is committed to maintaining safe and substance-free campuses for all students, employees and visitors. It is the intent of the BOR and each of its Colleges and Universities to increase awareness regarding opioid addiction and prevention. In the unfortunate instance of opioid overdose, it is the intent of the BOR and the CSCU to prevent overdose related death through the proper training, administration, and usage of naloxone hydrochloride, commonly known as Narcan® Nasal Spray, or other similarly acting and equally safe overdose-reversing drug approved by the FDA (“Intranasal Naloxone” or “IN kits”).¹ Therefore, this policy serves to direct each Connecticut State College and University to participate, together with other agencies, in a statewide initiative focused on public health issues regarding opioid-related drug overdose persons.²
 

¹ Intranasal Naloxone is a proven and effective emergency treatment for known or suspected opioid overdoses. Such medications are not a substitute for emergency medical care. However, when administered during an opioid overdose, and with proper emergency medical assistance, lives may be saved.

² The Connecticut Good Samaritan Law allows anyone, if acting with reasonable care, to administer an opioid antagonist to a person one believes in good faith is experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose without criminal or civil liability. 

Campus Specific Opioid Overdose Prevention Procedures

Upon adoption by the Board all CSCU institutions will, within 30 days of adoption of this policy, prepare and forward to the CSCU Office of Legal Affairs, campus specific Opioid Overdose Prevention Procedures (“Procedures”) consistent with the requirements of Public Act 19-191. As such, all submitted Procedures shall include details regarding the following:

• Designation of medical or public safety professionals to oversee the purchase, storage and distribution of the Intranasal Naloxone;

• Procedures for the purchase and distribution of IN kits;

• Identification of the location(s) on each campus where the IN kits are stored and accessible to students and employees;

• Procedures for the storage of IN kits according to manufacturer’s guidelines and appropriate disposal;

• Procedures for the training of individuals to access and administer the IN kits in emergency situations; and

• Requirements that emergency medical services/911 be called each time the IN kit is administered on campus.

The CSCU Office of Legal Affairs will submit all College and University Opioid Overdose Prevention Procedures to the Department of Consumer Protection for approval. Upon approval and by no later than December 31, 2019 each College and University shall post and maintain its Procedures in an easily accessible manner on each institution’s website at all times. Each CSCU institution is responsible for maintaining its information current on its website and within its written emergency response Procedures.

Awareness Campaigns

Each CSCU College and University will develop and implement a process to continually educate students, faculty and staff regarding opioid overdose prevention and IN kit availability on their campuses through a multi-faceted approach including, but not limited to, email, institutional websites, social media, posters, new student and employee orientations, and open on – campus opioid overdose response trainings. Campuses are encouraged to engage students from health professions schools (e.g. nursing, social work), student organizations (e.g. student government, health promotion, students for sensible drug policy), or community organizations to promote awareness and education with the goal of preventing opioid overdose deaths.

The Procedures will thereafter be annually provided to all campus law enforcement officers and security personnel, counseling and medical personnel, resident hall advisors and other campus personnel. Further, this policy shall be presented at student orientation or at student awareness and prevention trainings, and made broadly available at each campus.

Reporting Requirements

Each institution is required to maintain a current record of every IN kit distribution, use or administration at their campus. On or before October 1 of each year, each CSCU institution must report to the CSCU Chief of Staff its statistics and a brief description of every event or incident that required the distribution, use or administration of an IN kit at the respective institution within the prior year (September 1 of prior year through October 1 of current year).