A new law is providing college campuses in Washington with the resources need to keep students safe from opioid overdoses.
House Bill 2112 went into effect in June and requires all public and private colleges and universities in Washington to provide fentanyl prevention education and resources to students.
The law is meant to protect students amidst a growing opioid crisis in the state.
“Many of our schools have lost students to this epidemic and it is truly a terrible impact on our communities and families,” said Collin Bannister, a WSU student.
Bannister testified at a legislative hearing last spring in support of the bill.
“On each of our campuses, fentanyl and drug overdoses continue to be a growing threat to our students and our communities,” he said.
The bill specifically requires that colleges and universities have fentanyl testing strips and Narcan available on campus and that residence hall staff be trained on how to administer Narcan.
“Everyone knows somebody who’s been impacted. Maybe it’s overdose, maybe they’ve lost a family member, friend or colleague, or maybe they have someone in their family who was really negative substance abuse experiences,” said Patricia Maarhuis, Coordinator of Cougs for Recovery.
Cougs for Recovery held Narcan trainings for students, even before Bill 2112 became law.
With funding for this bill, WSU said it will be able to reach more students by providing more test strips and Narcan on campus.
Eastern Washington University has also been working towards adjusting to this new law before most students return to campus on September 25.
So far, EWU has been largely focused on the education component of the law and launched a new educational website on fentanyl awareness.
“I think what this legislation is allowing campuses to do is have the conversation from different angles,” said EWU student, Samantha Armstrong.
Private colleges, like Gonzaga, are also required to follow the law, but cannot draw from the same funding sources as state institutions.
“I spent some time working with the Department of Health to see if we could potentially get enrolled in their Narcan distribution plan,” said Dr. Charmayne Adams of Gonzaga University.
Dr. Adams said she believes the law gives students the support they need.
“I think the heart of the bill is there. I think, ultimately, we just want to keep our students as safe as possible on college campuses. I think that it’s the sentiment that experimentation with drugs in college comes with a much higher risk,” she said.
At Gonzaga, there are five spaces on campus that have baskets with fentanyl test strips, Narcan and educational resources. Students don’t have to ask for the supplies, they are free to take them as needed.
Dr. Sunday Henry at WSU has been at the forefront of ordering the required supplies for WSU.
“One of the reasons that it’s possible is because it is a very safe medication. If you administer it to a person and they aren’t having an overdose, nothing bad is going to happen,” said Dr. Henry.
House Bill 2112 is expected to cost the state of Washington $1.5 million over the next two years. This money will only go toward public institutions.
WSU is expected to spend just under $380,000 on the law, while EWU’s expected cost will be roughly $140,000.
Universities and colleges hope the law will lead to safer and more united campuses.
“It really is an act of relationship, an act of compassion for others around them,” said Maarhuis.
COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
