PULLMAN, WA – Washington State University’s Cougar Health Services (CHS) and its partners are diligently working to educate the community about the dangers of opioid overdoses and ensuring students have access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 75,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2024, which is double the number of motor vehicle accident fatalities and nearly quadruple the number of homicides.
Inside Higher Ed reported that only 0.5 percent of college students responding to a 2021 survey by the American College Health Association used heroin or prescription opioids recreationally. However, researchers believe this number is underreported, and the nonmedical use of prescription opioids is the second most common form of drug use among college students in the United States. The risk of overdosing has increased as the opioid epidemic has worsened.
“Almost everybody knows someone who has been impacted by this overdose epidemic,” said Patricia Maarhuis, CHS harm reduction & recovery services manager. “Many students I’ve talked with can name family and friends who have overdosed or died, and some have had to revive their own family member.”
State mandates training
In an effort to prevent opioid overdoses among college students, the Washington State legislature passed House Bill 2112 in 2024 that requires all colleges and universities in the state to provide students with opioid and fentanyl prevention education, make naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) and fentanyl test strips accessible to them, and provide residence hall staff training to administer naloxone.
In line with HB 2112, CHS harm reduction and recovery services (HRRS) developed a multifaceted approach to educate the WSU community. It offers monthly overdose prevention training for students, staff, and faculty both in person and online during the academic year, and by request during summer months. Dates and times are listed on the CHS website, registration is not required, and people from across the WSU system are encouraged to participate. Special training sessions for student groups and WSU departments are also available upon request, and the HRRS team regularly tables on campus, including on the Terrell Mall once a month during the academic year. In addition to training, naloxone and fentanyl test strips are available at select locations and efforts are underway to collaborate with departments to expand accessibility.
Overdose prevention kits, which include naloxone and test strips, are available at the four area desks at Northside, McCroskey, and Gannon-Goldsworthy Halls, and the Stephenson complex.
“This has been very successful,” said Griffen Hogan, assistant director of Housing Operations. “I’ve noticed it has led to some good conversations around overdose prevention and the destruction fentanyl has caused in society.”
While fraternities and sororities are independently owned and operated, the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life and HRRS have provided all chapters with access to training, naloxone, and fentanyl test strips.
In all, 1,206 naloxone boxes (2 doses each) and 6,356 fentanyl test strips were distributed to students on the Pullman campus during the 2024-2025 academic year. CHS also provided 316 members of the campus community with in-person overdose prevention training, which continues this academic year.
Working to expand accessibility
Dr. Sunday Henry, medical director of the CHS medical clinic, is working to make naloxone and fentanyl test strips accessible to students in the CUB and in other busy buildings on campus.
She is talking with campus partners about installing ONEbox emergency opioid emergency kits in buildings, a specialized box containing naloxone and instructions on how to administer it, that mounts on the wall.
“Having them placed next to AED’s would be pretty amazing,” Henry said. “You can save a life with both with minimal risk.”
Maruo Ramirez, ASWSU director of health and safety, is excited about the impact ONEbox’s can make.
“It’s important for students everywhere, not just in the residence halls and Greek houses, to have access to these lifesaving tools all the time, on campus and off campus,” Ramirez said.
