Columbia Health’s Opioid Overdose Prevention program trains members of the campus community to recognize signs of an opioid overdose and administer naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
- Register for an upcoming naloxone or fentanyl test strip training
- Request a training for your student organization, department, or community
Training Options
Columbia Health offers two trainings under its Opioid Overdose Prevention Program:
Naloxone Training
Learn to recognize signs of an opioid overdose and administer naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Those attending this training will receive a naloxone kit.
Fentanyl Test Strip Training
Learn to recognize signs of a fentanyl overdose and how to use fentanyl test strips (training on opioid overdoses and naloxone administration included). Those attending can leave with fentanyl test strips and a naloxone kit.
How to Get a Naloxone Kit or Fentanyl Test Strips
To receive a naloxone kit or fentanyl test strips, you must first attend a training:
- Register for an upcoming naloxone or fentanyl test strip training.
- Request a training for your student organization, department, or community.
- Virtual participants can pick up a kit at designated pick-up locations or request mailing after training at no cost.
- For questions, email [email protected].
Students interested in a one-on-one conversation about naloxone or fentanyl test strips can email [email protected] or attend Health Education Drop-in Hours.
Trainings
Fentanyl Test Strip & Naloxone Training – Open to all CU affiliates
Columbia Health makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you require disability accommodations to attend an event sponsored by Columbia Health, contact Disability Services at 212-854-2388 at least 5 days in advance of the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Available to all Columbia affiliates – including students, staff, faculty, and alumni.
Any Columbia affiliate can request naloxone or fentanyl test strips through our program. This includes students at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), Barnard College, Teachers College, Jewish Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, and alumni.
Students, faculty, and staff can become a Naloxone trainer through Columbia Health. We’re not currently accepting applications for new trainers. Check back for updates on becoming a trainer.
Students can also become trainers through our CU Well Peer Leader (CPE) program, led by Alice! Health Promotion. For questions about recruitment, visit our volunteer opportunities page or email [email protected].
Columbia Health is happy to share our process and resources for our program. If you’re a faculty or staff member looking for more information about how to start overdose prevention training at your school or university, please fill out our Resources Inquiry Form and someone will connect with you.
To report a naloxone administration, email [email protected] with the number of naloxone doses you administered (1 or 2). Any other information about the event is kept confidential.
We are required to report the number of naloxone doses that have been administered to the city and state health departments. Personal information about an administration is not reported to the school, city, or state.
If you have administered naloxone, you can request to have a confidential debrief conversation with someone from our program, if you would like. You can also request a new naloxone kit. Email [email protected] for support.
We recommend requesting a new kit once it’s nearing or reached its expiration date.
To replace an expiring kit, attend one of our trainings or email [email protected] to have a replacement kit mailed to you. Current affiliates can also stop by the Alice! Health Promotion office (John Jay Hall, 3rd Floor) to request a new kit as well.
Below are a few examples of resources for those navigating their opioid use:
Students
- Morningside/Manhattanville (including TC, JTS, and UTS):
- Barnard College:
- CUIMC:
Staff/Faculty
- Employee Assistance Program
- Columbia STARS
- Staff and faculty are also encouraged to check their health insurance benefits
Alumni
- New York City residents can call 3-1-1 for information about resources available to them
- Columbia STARS
- U.S. residents can search for support and treatment in their area
Available to all:
Program history
Started in 2019, Columbia's Naloxone Training Program is part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary initiative between Columbia Health, Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health, and the Columbia School of General Studies. In Fall 2024, Columbia Health introduced an additional training on how to use fentanyl test strips to test substances and prevent an overdose.
Related News Articles
Columbia University Announces Opioid Education and Naloxone Training Program on Morningside Campus
Progress on Opioid Education and Naloxone Training Program
CNN | Four Students Save Lives With the Help of Columbia University's Naloxone Training Program
Naloxone Program Wins 2023 ACHA Best Practices in College Health Award
Questions?
Email [email protected].