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Policy Contact: Environmental Health and Safety

1. Purpose

   This policy supports the University's commitment to maintaining a safe, substance free campus for all employees, students and visitors. Additionally, this policy serves to increase awareness regarding opioid addiction and prevention and addresses the accessibility of an opioid antidote for emergency administration by individuals in order to assist in preventing deaths from opioid overdose at the University.

   This policy and its procedures do not apply to the University Police Department, which maintains its own internal policy.

2. Definitions
    
   1. Naloxone: a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications, when given in time.
       
   2. Narcan: a brand name medication of the generic drug Naloxone.
       
   3. Opioids: a class of drugs used to reduce pain including legal prescription pain killers like oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and others. Heroin, which is illegal, is also an opioid.
       
   4. Overdose: an injury to the body (poisoning) that happens when a drug is taken in excessive amounts. An overdose can be fatal or nonfatal.
       
3. Policy
    
   1. The University Police Department is responsible for University Police Department Naloxone protocols.
       
   2. In addition to University Police Department Naloxone response, the University makes available Naloxone, in the form of Narcan, in select locations to aid in the emergency response to a suspected Opioid Overdose on the University campus.
       
   3. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) has primary oversight of the Naloxone program and oversees the implementation and management of the acquisition, distribution, transportation, storage, maintenance, training, and use of Narcan at the University.
       
   4. EHS shall ensure proper documentation of the distribution of Narcan at the University.
       
   5. EHS shall be responsible for the coordination of a training program related to the safe use of Narcan and documentation of relevant training as developed by the South Dakota Department of Health.
       
   6. The implementation of the Naloxone program at the University and related training does not create a duty to act on behalf of the trained individuals unless otherwise obligated by their professional roles. All individuals are encouraged to be active bystanders and to immediately dial 911 in the event someone needs emergency assistance.
       
4. Procedures
    
   1. Whenever possible, public safety personnel (including law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, firefighters, etc.) are the primary responders who administer Naloxone. In the event the administration of Naloxone is appropriate prior to public safety personnel arrive, individuals:
      1. Call 911 and remain on the line with dispatcher and follow their instructions;
      2. Administer Naloxone per manufacturer instructions;
      3. If there is no response after 2 minutes, administer another dose of Naloxone;
      4. May assist in providing rescue breathing, if trained;
      5. May assist in calming the individual receiving the Naloxone;
      6. May place in recovery position;
      7. Will assist in directing emergency medical services (EMS) to the scene; and
      8. Should not leave until EMS personnel arrive.
          
   2. The primary responder who administers the Naloxone should note the time and dose(s) given to the affected person for notification to EMS personnel and for reporting purposes.
       
   3. In cases where individuals who are not public safety personnel administer Naloxone, the individual will make a report to the University Police Department as soon as practical to include:
      1. Approximate time of dosage.
      2. Circumstances of the incident, such as location, how the responder was notified, etc.
      3. If the dose(s) were effective.
      4. Any other intervention provided.

5. Responsible Administrator

   The Vice President and General Counsel and the Vice President for Technology and Security, or their designees, are responsible for the bi-annual and ad hoc review of this policy and its procedures. The University President is responsible for approval of this policy.

Approved by President on 01/31/2025.

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