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Narcan at UC Davis

This week, we're focusing on building a community of everyday heroes.

The UC Davis Fire Department made naloxone (also known as Narcan), a life-saving opioid antidote, more widely available on the UC Davis campus this year.

Four new, self-service cabinets in high-traffic campus locations make it possible to pick up a free box of naloxone nasal spray more easily, anonymously and around-the-clock.

Meet Health 34 and Learn More About Narcan and AEDs

Health 34 and student EMTs will be hosting an outreach table near the Narcan station at the Memorial Union. The team will highlight where Narcan is available across campus, how to recognize signs of an opioid overdose, and how to safely administer the medication. They’ll also offer live demonstrations on how to use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), empowering our community with life-saving knowledge and tools.

Dates: May 7, 8 and 9

Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Memorial Union (Near the Information Desk)

Where are the new Narcan lockers?

Cabinet with free Narcan and instructions on the front of it, next to the Memorial Union info desk.
Narcan locker inside the Memorial Union (Photo by Anjie Cook/UC Davis)

The four new cabinets include educational materials, in public locations on campus with extended hours:

  • Memorial Union: Inside the east entrance, next to the information desk.
  • Shields Library: In the 24-hour study room.
  • Student Community Center: Inside the north entrance.
  • Activities and Recreation Center: In the ARC study lounge.

The cabinets in the MU and Student Community Center are each next to one of 100+ automatic external defibrillators, or AEDs, that are publicly accessible on campus for emergency use. The boxes of naloxone are provided free to UC Davis from the California Department of Healthcare Services.

Top 5 myths about Narcan

Myth: "If you carry Narcan, people will think you use drugs."
Truth: Carrying Narcan doesn’t say anything about your habits—it says you care about saving lives. Just like CPR, it’s about being ready if someone needs help.
 
Myth: "Only doctors or EMTs should use Narcan."
Truth: Narcan is made for regular people to use. The nasal spray is simple. If you can use Flonase, you can use Narcan.
 
Myth: "You could hurt someone if you’re wrong and they aren’t overdosing."
Truth: You won’t. If the person isn’t on opioids, Narcan does nothing. No harm, no foul.
 
Myth: "It's illegal to carry Narcan."
Truth: Carrying Narcan (naloxone) is completely legal in California and across the United States. In fact, it's encouraged. As of 2023, the FDA approved Narcan for over-the-counter sale, making it accessible without a prescription. You can purchase it at pharmacies, convenience stores, and online retailers.
 
Myth: "I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving someone Narcan—I might mess it up."
Truth: Narcan is designed for non-medical people to use in emergencies. It’s a simple nasal spray, not a needle, and you can’t do it wrong. There’s no guesswork—just call 911 and spray it in the person’s nose.

How to spot an overdose and how you can help

Signs:
  • Lethargy: The person is very lethargic, almost very sleepy, and you can’t quite wake them up.
  • Slow breathing: They’re breathing very slowly or shallowly. You have to focus to notice breathing.
  • Pinpoint pupils: If you open their eyelids and look at their pupils, they're teeny, tiny, pinpoints.
Steps for you to take:
  1. First call 911. Even if the naloxone works, the person may need to go to the hospital.
  2. Administer the naloxone. Follow package directions to put it in their nose and spray. Then take a couple steps back. It’s best to wait a couple feet away, as the person can revive suddenly with potential for vomiting or aggressiveness.
  3. Follow directions from the 911 dispatcher. They're trained to help in medical emergencies and will direct you in ways you can help if you feel comfortable, from rolling the person on their side to potentially performing CPR.
  4. Make sure to stay until first responders arrive. Information you provide to first responders can also be critical in caring for the patient.

When Every Second Counts, WHAT YOU DO MATTERS!

  • Get CPR Trained
    • Waiting for responders to arrive typically results in a survival rate of only 5-7%. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival!
    • The Fire Department offers CPR & AED training for students & staff, from Hands-Only sessions to AHA certifications.
  • Take First Aid Training
    • Receive Stop the Bleed training too.
  • Install an AED at Your Location
    • The Fire Department manages the campus AED Program and registry. Order AEDs or request maintenance for current AEDs.
  • Download PulsePoint App
    • Locate an AED & Save a Life
      • Survival rates can increase up to 60% when defibrillation is applied quickly!
      • The PulsePoint app alerts individuals to nearby emergencies & AED locations. With 100+ AEDs on campus, it saves lives.

 

See the UC Davis Narcan map for where to find free naloxone on the Davis campus, including locations with a nurse or attendant to help.

Read more about the Fire Departments Narcan effort in this article.

UC Davis Narcan Access Map shows where to get free naloxone on campus, including Health Education and Promotion, LGBTQIA Resource Center, Memorial Union, ARC, Library Study Room, Student Community Center, Aggie Compass, and more.