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Published on March 17, 2025
In an effort to combat the ongoing nationwide opioid crisis and enhance campus safety, Eastern has installed public-access naloxone boxes across campus. Commonly known by its brand name Narcan, naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses in minutes by attaching to the opioid receptors in the brain and blocking its effects.
Eastern received a grant that allowed for the purchase of 25 naloxone boxes, 20 of which have already been installed. The remaining five will be placed in high-traffic areas by summer, according to Angela Bazin, director of wellness education outreach and veteran care.
Naloxone works by quickly reversing the effects of opioids, restoring normal breathing and preventing fatal overdoses.
In order to further educate the community on this crisis, the Office of Wellness Education Outreach offered a Narcan training session on March 12 in the Student Center. Stephen Feathers, director of compliance and training at Perception Programs, a non-profit that promotes wellness through behavioral healthcare, gave background on the opioid crisis.
“Seventy-five percent of people using opioids started from a doctor’s prescription,” said Feathers. “With opioids, we are set up for failure because taking more increases the risk for physical dependence, which can lead to opioid-use disorder.”
Students and staff who witness a potential overdose should immediately call 911 and administer naloxone if available, said Feathers. Symptoms of an opioid overdose include pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, slow or stopped breathing, and blue lips or fingertips. Once naloxone is given, rescue breaths or CPR may be necessary until emergency responders arrive.
At least one naloxone training session is held on campus every semester, said Bazin, with upcoming sessions targeting nursing students and other interested individuals.
The opioid epidemic remains a serious issue across Connecticut and the country, with fentanyl — an opioid 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine — frequently found in counterfeit pills and other street drugs. The presence of xylazine, a powerful animal tranquilizer that does not respond to naloxone, has made overdoses even more dangerous, said Feathers.
“Opioid overdoses remain a critical public health challenge," agreed Bazin. "By becoming Narcan-trained, you will be equipped to respond effectively in emergency situations, potentially saving lives and making a difference in our community."
Narcan boxes are currently located in:
For more information, visit Eastern's Narcan policy website or contact Bazin at bazina@easternct.edu .
Written by Darlene Orozco B. '28
