Every College Student Should Carry Naloxone – Expert Advice from RWJBarnabas Health

September 3, 2025 - As young adults prepare to for college, Alexis LaPietra, DO, FACEP, Medical Director of the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) and Director of Addiction Medicine for Emergency Services at RWJBarnabas Health, asks parents and young adults to pack naloxone among other first aid items.

"There are many reasons why young adults in college should carry naloxone," says Dr. LaPietra. "However, the simplest and most compelling reason is that naloxone saves lives."

Nationwide, opioid overdose deaths are declining, and naloxone access is credited in part with the decrease in deaths. "We know that college-aged adults, who are away from home, are more likely to engage in a variety of risky behaviors, including using substances. Many of these young adults are experimenting with substances for the first time and are unaware of the risks," adds Dr. LaPietra. "Packing naloxone with their other health necessities ensures that they are prepared to step in if they or someone around them experiences an overdose."

Naloxone is safe and easy to use. Dr. LaPietra recommends these four steps if you think someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose:

1. Access the situation. Is the person breathing? Are they awake/alert? Is their heartbeat steady, slow or erratic?
2. If not, call 911 immediately. State, "Someone is unresponsive and not breathing." Be specific about your location, include the address and where you are in the building. For those hesitant to call 911, many states, including New Jersey, have laws protecting individuals seeking emergency help.
3. Administer naloxone.
4. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.

Remember, naloxone will only reverse an opioid overdose. It does not reverse overdoses caused by other substances. It is important to stay with the person until help arrives.

"Naloxone is one harm reduction strategy, meaning it reduces the chances of lasting or fatal harm by providing a lifesaving window for the individual to receive emergency care and recovery services," expands Dr. LaPietra. "Another critical harm reduction strategy is helping young adults to better understand what they are ingesting. That is why I also recommend adding fentanyl and xylazine testing strips to health bags. These strips help individuals identify hidden harms within substances, allowing them to make informed choices."

Illicit fentanyl, or fentanyl not prescribed, is a potent synthetic opioid that is commonly found in non-pharmaceutical drugs like cocaine or illicit Xanax. It has been linked to the increase in opioid overdose deaths throughout the country. Xylazine is a strong sedative most commonly used in veterinary medicine that has also appeared in non-pharmaceutical drugs.

"Most importantly, start the conversation about substance use with your child before they leave for college," says Dr. LaPietra. "Let them know that you are a non-judgmental resource and have their best interest in mind. Having these conversations can help destigmatize harm reduction strategies-like naloxone-and may even help save a life."

Print Our Overdose Action Plan

Download our free How to Respond to an Overdose action plan for a printable resource.

Get Naloxone for Free

New Jersey residents 14 years or older can get naloxone for free from a participating pharmacy through the state's Naloxone365 program.

Recovery Support Services

If you are using substances and would like support, contact IFPR's Peer Recovery Program at 848-303-0008 to speak with a certified recovery specialist. Recovery specialists can help you build healthier coping skills, reduce your use of substances and cultivate a supportive community. You can also visit rwjbh.org/preventionandrecovery to learn more about the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery.