The Arkansas Tech University Health and Wellness Center will host a training opportunity for ATU students, faculty and staff regarding the Arkansas Collegiate Network’s NaloxBox Bystander Rescue Program on Wednesday, March 8.
The training will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Doc Bryan Student Services Center room 242.
A virtual option will be available at https://atu.webex.com/atu/j.php?MTID=mbe5586ad10948d9a737bc08892ed33b1.
Developed in consultation with the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the University of Arkansas-Little Rock MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training, the Arkansas Collegiate Network NaloxBox Bystander Rescue Program is designed to make intranasal Naloxone readily available on university campuses as an emergency intervention tool with the capacity to reverse an opioid overdose.
“Naloxone is safe and effective with no risk of abuse,” said Kristy Davis, ATU associate dean for student wellness and director of the ATU Health and Wellness Center. “It can be administered by bystanders to prevent an overdose death. If administered to someone not suffering from an opioid overdose, there are no side effects. Currently, Naloxone is available through the ATU Department of Public Safety, the ATU Health and Wellness Center and the ATU athletic training staff. While this is a positive step toward preventing opioid overdose, it is most likely that an individual in need of Naloxone will be in a residence hall or other public location on campus at the time of need. Thus, having Naloxone more readily available is more effective in potentially saving a life.”
Through funding made available from an Arkansas Department of Human Services grant, ATU is in the process of installing 24 NaloxBox stations on its Russellville campus. They will be located in all residence halls, Tucker Coliseum, the Hull Physical Education Building, the Multi-Sport Complex, Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex, the ATU Department of Public Safety facility, Baswell Techionery, Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center and the Hull Building Student Union.
Members of the ATU community seeking more information about the March 8 training and/or the Arkansas Collegiate Network NaloxBox Bystander Rescue Program may send e-mail to hwc@atu.edu or call (479) 968-0329.
