NaloxBox
Springfield College has placed NaloxBoxes on the main campus to expand access to emergency response tools. Each NaloxBox contains multiple doses of naloxone nasal spray, medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdose, and instructions for use. Narcan is another name for naloxone. Similar to automated external defibrillators (AED), the contents of the boxes allow bystanders to help save lives.
Locations
| Building | Location | Access |
| Flynn Campus Union | Main lobby | During facility operating hours (SCID access required during some hours) |
| Wellness & Recreation Complex | Wellness Center entrance, main lobby | During facility operating hours |
| Harold C. Smith Learning Commons | First floor near elevators | During facility operating hours for all 24/7 with SCID |
| Towne Health Center: Outdoor box | 24/7 for all | |
| Public Safety building: Outdoor box | 24/7 for all | |
| Abbey-Appleton Hall | Main lobby | 24/7 for Abbey-Appleton residents |
| Alumni Hall | Main lobby | 24/7 for Alumni Hall residents |
| International Hall | Main lobby | 24/7 for International Hall residents |
| Lakeside Hall | Main lobby | 24/7 for Lakeside Hall residents |
| Living Center | Main lobby | 24/7 for Living Center residents |
| Massasoit Hall | Main lobby | 24/7 for Massasoit Hall residents |
| Reed Hall | Main lobby | 24/7 for Reed Hall residents |
| Senior Suites | Main lobby | 24/7 for Senior Suites residents |
| Townhouses | Main lobby | 24/7 for Townhouses residents |
NaloxBox kits contain the following items:
- 1 Clear UV-stabilized box
- A multilingual (English/Spanish) instructional guide
- A QR code linking that includes a naloxone administration instructional video and resources for someone looking to start recovery
- 1 Rescue breathing barrier device
- 4 Doses of naloxone
How to Use the NaloxBox
- Call Public Safety at (413) 748-5555. If off campus, call 911.
- Check for Symptoms
- Someone may be unconscious, have very small pupils, slow or shallow breathing, vomiting, an inability to speak, faint heartbeat, limp arms and legs, pale skin, and/or purple lips and fingernails.
- When in doubt, it is better to proceed with administering naloxone. It will not harm someone if they have taken a drug that is not an opioid.
- Administer Naloxone
- Open the NaloxBox.
- Peel back packaging on the naloxone to remove the device.
- Place the tip of the device in the nostril.
- Press plunger firmly to release the dose.
- Place the person on their back and tilt their head back to support breathing. If an individual is not breathing, use the mask to administer rescue breaths.
- Wait 1-3 minutes. If the person has not regained consciousness, administer a second dose in the other nostril.
- Stay until help arrives.
Naloxone and Naloxone Training
In-person training can be offered to your group on campus! Please email healthpromotion@springfield.edu to schedule a training session. Training takes about 30 minutes.
If you’re interested in obtaining naloxone to have on hand, without accessing the emergency supply in the NaloxBox, contact the Health Center at (413) 748-3175 or healthcenter@springfield.edu. Naloxone is available without a prescription to anyone in Massachusetts. We can also provide naloxone to take with you at trainings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of opioids, such as heroin, fentanyl, morphine, and oxycodone. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. It is a temporary treatment and its effects do not last long so it is critical to call Public Safety at (413) 748-5555 or 911 before administering naloxone.
Does naloxone reverse all drug overdoses?
Naloxone only works on overdoses caused by opioids. Opioids include prescription painkillers like OxyContin, fentanyl, methadone, and Vicodin, as well as non-prescription drugs like heroin. Naloxone will not reverse overdose resulting from non-opioid drugs, like cocaine, benzodiazepines, or alcohol.
How is naloxone administered?
The medication can be given by intranasal spray (into the nose), intramuscular (into the muscle), subcutaneous (under the skin), or intravenous injection. The NaloxBox kit comes with intranasal (into the nose) spray. The bystander gently inserts the tip of the nozzle into one nostril, until their fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose. They then press the plunger firmly to give the dose of naloxone spray. Remove the device from the nostril after giving the dose.
Steps for responding to an opioid overdose can be found in the NaloxBox along with a QR code to access a brief training video online. It is important to note that sometimes a second dose is needed when administering naloxone.
Watch Video on How to use Narcan
How long does it take Naloxone to work?
Naloxone acts in 1-3 minutes. If the person has not regained consciousness, administer a second dose in the nostril not used the first time. Naloxone’s effects are temporary, which is why it is critical to call Public Safety at (413) 748-5555 or 911 before using.
