College students in the U.S. show a willingness to assist in opioid overdose situations but lack knowledge on how to use naloxone for reversal. This study, the first of its kind to evaluate opioid overdose awareness among a national sample of college students, sheds light on the need for education in this area. Christina Freibott, a researcher at Boston University School of Public Health, emphasizes the importance of understanding the level of knowledge among this demographic.
Freibott and her team examined data from the 2021–2022 Healthy Minds Study, a survey focusing on mental health issues among college students aged 18 to 25. The fact that two-thirds of the 7,000+ respondents expressed comfort in seeking help during an overdose situation highlights the potential for broader opioid education and naloxone training initiatives. Freibott notes, “College students are ready to intervene, but they require the necessary knowledge and resources to do so.”
Increasing awareness on naloxone usage is a critical public health objective. Many health departments offer training sessions and distribute naloxone to the public. Naloxone is also accessible on college campuses and in community centers, sometimes through vending machines. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the over-the-counter use of naloxone nasal spray, known as Narcan.
2024-05-03 08:15:00
Originally posted on www.sciencenews.org