Availability and Use of Opioid Antagonists

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Title: Availability and Use of Opioid Antagonists
Policy Owner: Division of Public Safety
Applies to: All Faculty, Staff, and Students
Campus Applicability: All campuses, including UConn Health
Effective Date: December 11, 2019
For More Information, Contact Division of Public Safety
Contact Information: UConn Fire Department

860-486-4925
Official Website: https://publicsafety.uconn.edu/

REASON FOR POLICY

Connecticut state law requires all institutions of higher education in the state of Connecticut to develop and implement a policy concerning the availability and use of opioid antagonists by students and employees of the institution.

APPLIES TO

All faculty, staff, and students at the University of Connecticut and all regional campuses, including UConn Health (“UConn”).

DEFINITIONS

Opioid Antagonist: As used in this policy, and consistent with state law, “opioid antagonist” means naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of drug overdose.

POLICY STATEMENT

UConn is committed to maintaining a safe and substance-free environment on all of its campuses.  All uniformed police and fire personnel on UConn’s campuses carry and are trained to administer opioid antagonists.  In addition, clinical staff in Student Health and Wellness-Medical Services, located on the Storrs campus, store and are trained to administer opioid antagonists. Opioid antagonists are available and accessible to students and employees on all of UConn’s campuses as noted below.  When an opioid antagonist is administered on any of UConn’s campuses, notification to law enforcement or a local emergency medical provider must be made by a UConn representative. Such notification is satisfied if the opioid antagonist is administered by police, fire or other medical personnel. In all other cases, notification should be made by calling 911 prior to, during or as soon as practical after each use.   It is recommended that any individual administered an opioid antagonist be transported to an emergency department for further evaluation.

The Chief of the UConn Fire Department, or his designee(s), has been designated to oversee the purchase, storage and distribution of opioid antagonists on each of UConn’s  campuses and in observance with these procedures.  The supply of opioid antagonists is maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.  Faculty, staff and students may access opioid antagonists by calling 911.

 

Opioid antagonists are accessible to students and employees in the following locations:

Storrs Campus                                                                               Waterbury Campus

Public Safety Headquarters                                                           Police Department
126 North Eagleville Road                                                             99 East Main Street
Storrs, CT 06269                                                                              Waterbury, CT  06702
Phone Number: 860-486-4800

 

UConn Student Health and Wellness                                          Stamford Campus
Medical Care                                                                                    Police Department
Hilda May Williams Building                                                          1 University Place
234 Glenbrook Road, Unit 4011                                                    Stamford, CT  06901
Storrs, CT 06269-4011

(Students Only)

 

Hartford Campus                                                                           School of Law

Police Department                                                                           Police Department
10 Prospect Street                                                                           39 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT  06103                                                                         Hartford, CT  06103

UConn Health                                                                                  Avery Point

Firehouse/Police Dept                                                                    Police Department
263 Farmington Avenue                                                                 1084 Shennecossett Road
Farmington, CT  06030                                                                   Groton, CT 06340

 

To ensure that the UConn community is aware of the availability and location of opioid antagonists on campus, this policy shall be sent via the University’s Daily Digest to all faculty, staff and students prior to the start of each academic semester, and posted on the websites of the Division of Public Safety, Department of Human Resources and Student Health and Wellness.

 

PROTECTION FROM LIABILITY AND PROSECUTION

State law provides substantial protections from civil and criminal liability for individuals acting in good faith to assist persons experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose.  Individuals “may, if acting with reasonable care, administer an opioid antagonist to such other person.  [Such] person . . . shall not be liable for damages in a civil action or subject to criminal prosecution with respect to the administration of such opioid antagonist.” See Connecticut General Statutes § 17a-714a.

In addition, state law prohibits the prosecution of any person who seeks or receives medical assistance in “good faith” when sought for someone else based on a reasonable belief that the person needs medical attention; when a person seeks medical attention based on a reasonable belief that he or she is experiencing an overdose, and when another person reasonably believes that he or she needs medical attention. “Good faith” does not include seeking medical assistance while law enforcement officers are executing an arrest or search warrant or conducting a lawful search. See Connecticut General Statutes 21a-279, 21a-267.

 

Related Information:

Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs: https://policy.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/243/2012/03/Drug-Free-Schools-and-Campuses-Act-Notification-Letter-September-2018.pdf

Department of Human Resources: https://hr.uconn.edu/opioid-epidemic/

 

PROCEDURES

1. ADMINISTRATION OF AN OPIATE ANTAGONIST

University of Connecticut uniformed firefighters and police officers and clinical staff at Student Health and Wellness (Shaw) Medical Services will administer an opiate antagonist per the current Connecticut Statewide EMS Protocols approved and disseminated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH).

2. LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION

  1. All uniformed firefighters and police officers are licensed or certified at the Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, or Emergency Medical Responder levels, and are trained in the use of intravenous, intermuscular, or intranasal administration of an opiate antagonist.
  2. All clinical staff at ShaW Medical Services have the license of RN, APRN, or MD and are trained in the use of intravenous, intermuscular, or intranasal administration of an opiate antagonist.
  3. Re-training and recertification is required per CT DPH guidelines.

3. ISSUANCE OF OPIATE ANTAGONIST

  1. All uniformed firefighters and police officers are issued opiate antagonists that are carried while on duty.
  2. Opiate antagonists are stored in designated clinical areas at the Hilda May Building, 234 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT.
  3. The Fire Chief, or designee(s), will track and disseminate opiate antagonist to all fire and police department personnel and the Hilda May Building, 234 Glenbrook Road, Storrs for appropriate use.
  4. Additional opiate antagonist is available through the University of Connecticut Fire Department (UCFD) for personnel.

4. STORAGE

A. All uniformed Firefighters and police officers shall be required to maintain opiate antagonist on their person or in EMS kits at all times.

    1. In accordance with manufacturer’s instruction, the opiate antagonist (e.g., intranasal or injectable naloxone) must be kept out of direct light, and stored at room temperature (between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
    2. Opiate antagonist should not be left in a vehicle for extended periods and should not be subjected to extreme temperatures, since it will freeze, and it may affect the effectiveness of the medication.
    3. In addition to opiate antagonist being stored at UCFD, additional opiate antagonist will be stored at the University of Connecticut Student Health and Wellness – Medical Services.

5. REPLACEMENT

A. Replacement opiate antagonist shall be stored at the UCFD and disseminated by the Fire Chief or their designee, and replaced as needed.

  1. In the event that an opiate antagonist is expired or used, the firefighter or police officer shall notify their appropriate supervisor for immediate replacement.
  2. Additional replacement opiate antagonist can be obtained from the UCFD.
  3. The purchase of all opiate antagonist will be through the UCFD.

B. Opiate antagonist that are lost, damaged, or exposed to extreme temperatures, shall be reported to the appropriate supervisor.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy or associated procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, the University of Connecticut Student Code, other applicable University Policies, or as outlined in any procedures document related to this policy.

POLICY HISTORY