Campus News
Important health and safety info: narcan, fentanyl test strips, and campus support resource
Learn how to prevent opioid overdose and find free Narcan and fentanyl test strips available to UC Santa Cruz students.
Dear Banana Slugs,
At UCSC, we are committed to fostering a campus environment that prioritizes your health and safety. As part of this commitment, we are taking action to prevent opioid overdose in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health through the Narcan Distribution Project.
In 2024 alone, more than 3000 Californians died from opioid overdoses, most involving fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is often mixed into other substances, and many overdoses occur when people unknowingly ingest it. Any drug not prescribed by your doctor—whether powder, pill, or crystal—may contain fentanyl, including counterfeit versions of prescription medications such as Xanax, Adderall, or Percocet.
Protect yourself and others
- Test before you ingest: Use fentanyl test strips for any substance not prescribed to you.
- Carry Narcan (naloxone): Narcan is a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose. About 40% of overdoses could have been prevented if someone had intervened in time.
- Never use alone: If you need support, call the SafeSpot Hotline at (800) 972-0590. Trained operators will stay on the line and call 911 if needed.
Get supplies
Narcan and fentanyl test strips are currently available at the following locations–
- Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP): Located in Porter College B. Check our website or Instagram for hours.
- Healthcare Kiosk vending machines
- McHenry Library lobby during normal library business hours
- Cowell Student Health Center patio 24/7
- Bay Tree Plaza 24/7
- Porter College: Please note these are breakable boxes containing Narcan. If you want Narcan to carry with you, you should visit one of the previously mentioned resources.
- Porter College A entrance (Narcan only)
- Porter College B entrance near SHOP (Narcan only)
- Porter Apartments laundry room (Narcan only)
- Other Residential Areas (Coming throughout the 2026-2027 Academic Year): Additional breakable boxes containing Narcan for emergency use will be installed on a rolling basis in the remaining residential areas throughout the coming months. New locations will be included in this list as they become available. If you want Narcan to carry with you, you should visit SHOP or one of the healthcare kiosks.
Get informed and get resources
- Learn how to use Narcan by watching this 10-minute video from SHOP’s Party Safe team.
- Learn how to use fentanyl test strips by watching this short video from Party Safe.
- The UCSC Student Health Outreach and Promotion office offers free training and distributes Narcan and fentanyl test strips. Learn more on the SHOP website.
- The UCSC Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) helps students access addiction treatment or grief counseling for losing a loved one to overdose. CAPS can be reached by phone 24/7 at (831) 459-2628 or online via the CAPS website.
- The Cove, the UCSC Collegiate Recovery Program, supports students seeking recovery support or community, and students impacted by the substance use of loved ones. More information is available on The Cove webpages.
- Many campus community members, including faculty and staff, as well as all student leaders and RAs, are trained to administer Narcan and may choose to do so in emergencies.
Thank you for being part of our collective effort to prevent opioid overdoses at UCSC. Together, we can save lives.
Be well,
Student Health Outreach & Promotion (SHOP)
Location: Porter College B
Email: shop@ucsc.edu
Phone: (831) 459-4459
References
Mattson CL, O’Donnell J, Kariisa M, Seth P, Scholl L, Gladden RM. Opportunities to Prevent Overdose Deaths Involving Prescription and Illicit Opioids, 11 States, July 2016–June 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:945–951. DOI.
Safi SB, Kranz AN. Preliminary Data Through June 2024 Show a Decreasing Trend in Synthetic Opioid Related Overdose Deaths. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Public Health, February 2025.