On Oct. 20, Baker students attended a workshop over the growing concerns surrounding opioid use and the proper way to administer Narcan. Student Senate organized this event to raise awareness about the ongoing opioid crisis specifically in the United States and the importance of knowing how to respond in an emergency situation.
“It’s important to be educated and hope that it doesn’t happen but to make sure you are prepared for when it could happen,” Student Body Vice President Ryanne Ham said.
Student Body President Meg Qualls and Vice President Ham worked together to bring in representatives from the Baldwin City Fire Department. They demonstrated how to properly administer Narcan, also known as naloxone, a medicine that can reverse a opioid overdose for up to 30 minutes.
Firefighters from Baldwin City Fire Department also shared crucial information about recognizing the signs of an overdose, which includes slowed or shallow breathing, unresponsiveness or limp body, blue or gray lips and fingertips, pinpoint pupils and snoring or gurgling sounds.
The firefighters gave a step-by-step demonstration on how to use the Narcan nasal spray by administering it on one of their own. They explained that the spray only takes effect if someone is actually overdosing, making it completely harmless otherwise.
Firefighter Becky Satryn encouraged students to take action and look out for one another.
“Don’t be afraid to get involved, I want everyone to know they are looking out for each other and to be proactive, hopefully everyone learned something that they didn’t know before,” she said.
The session also opened the floor for students to ask questions. This brought on the opportunity to destigmatize addiction, overdose, emergency response and the resources available. Many attendees said they appreciated the events focus on how normalized this has become.
“It was super educational, they were open to all questions and welcoming of our curiosity over it,” freshman Zhaia Asi said. “They didn’t normalize drug use but normalized the education behind Narcan.”
Ham also emphasized the importance of awareness and empathy.
“I think everyone thinks that it’s not going to happen to them, until it does. This can happen to anyone,” she said. “People don’t usually overdose intentionally—we need to remember that it can happen accidentally, things can be laced, it can happen to a loved one, it can happen to you.”
In addition to spreading awareness about Narcan, the workshop also aimed to make students more aware of now easily accessible Narcan on campus. Students can find Narcan in the student “care corner” located in the Student Life office on the second floor of the union. Narcan is also available in every residence hall’s RA office or from their President and/or Risk Management chair if they are in a Greek House.
Student Senate hopes to raise awareness and address public health and safety issues in the future by reinforcing the importance of community education and student involvement.
“Even if you never have to use it, being prepared can save a life,” Ham said. “That’s what this is all about, looking out for each other.”
