US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials and college administrators across the country issued a warning to students headed off to college this past fall: The drugs that you have access to now are much more dangerous than what was seen on college campuses in the past.1,2 Among these dangerous drugs is fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.3 Even more concerning than fentanyl’s potency is the fact that it is showing up in unexpected places—non-opioid substances like cocaine and methamphetamine, “fake” pills meant to resemble other opioids and even vape pens.3,4 To address the threat posed by illegal fentanyl and other potentially lethal substances, it’s more important than ever that young people today help protect themselves and their fellow students in case of an opioid overdose.2,3,5 Be ready with KLOXXADO® (nalonone HCI) Nasal Spray, an easy-to-use nasal spray that can reverse the effects of a life-threatening opioid emergency in minutes.6
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the primary driver of opioid overdose deaths in the US.3 Fentanyl isn’t new; it’s been used in the US for decades as anesthesia and is still prescribed by doctors to treat severe and chronic pain.7,8 But this isn’t the kind of fentanyl that school administrators are worried about.3,9 The kind of fentanyl that’s causing concern today is illicitly made and finding its way to college campuses, often causing fatal opioid overdoses.3,9 Just two milligrams of fentanyl — the amount you can hold on the point of a pencil — is enough to be deadly.10
Often unbeknownst to the end user, illegally made fentanyl is being mixed into other illicit substances like cocaine and methamphetamine.3 As a result, students who experiment with or use what they believe are non-opioid substances are putting themselves at risk for an opioid overdose.3 Drug dealers also press illegally made fentanyl into fake tablets that are virtually impossible to distinguish from authentic oxycodone, Xanax®, Adderall® and other legitimate prescription pills.3,11 Powerful synthetic opioids are even showing up in vape pens.4,12 Recent data suggests a significant portion of e-cigarette sales involve illegal substances, highlighting a growing public safety and health concern.12 According to a September 2025 news release from the US DEA, devices containing illegal and addictive substances are currently for sale in vape shops.12
Fentanyl’s presence in the illicit drug market means that opioid overdose is a universal risk that could affect a wide range of students beyond those who knowingly use opioids.3,9 Fortunately, colleges and universities across the country are implementing opioid overdose prevention programs, including those which increase access to naloxone products on campus.13-20 Here are a few examples:
KLOXXADO® is a prefilled naloxone nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes—including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.6 When given in time, it can restore normal breathing within 2 or 3 minutes.6 Because naloxone works only if a person has opioids in their system, KLOXXADO® has no effect in people who are not taking opioids.6,20 KLOXXADO® is small and easy to carry in a pocket, backpack or purse.6 It’s also easy to use; no medical training is required.6 Like a fire extinguisher, using KLOXXADO® is an important step you can take to help someone in the critical minutes between the 911 call and the time when emergency medical services arrive.6
Opioid overdose emergencies can happen anywhere and anytime, so all college campuses should be prepared with a naloxone nasal spray like KLOXXADO®.6 According to 2024 data from the CDC’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), 67.5% of the 53,336 drug overdose deaths reported had at least one potential opportunity for intervention, and a bystander was present in 44% of cases.21 Given the risk of fatal opioid overdose, colleges and universities should provide naloxone in locations easily accessible to students and faculty such as first aid kits and automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinets, student housing common areas, campus transportation vehicles, health and counseling centers, resource facilities, study lounges and with campus police and security personnel. Regardless of where it is made available, naloxone should be easily accessible and always accompanied by clear instructions for use.22 Timely access is also crucial; it takes only four minutes for brain damage to occur once a person stops breathing.23 If naloxone is not yet widely available at your school, contact your university’s health service to ask about naloxone and how you might help develop a campus-wide plan for naloxone access. Having KLOXXADO® available for students across campus or to carry can save a life.6
If you are hesitant to help someone you believe to be experiencing an opioid overdose, you shouldn’t be. Most states have Good Samaritan laws, which offer legal protection to people who attempt to provide reasonable assistance to those who are (or whom they believe to be) injured, ill, in peril or otherwise incapacitated.24 Follow these steps to reverse an opioid overdose with KLOXXADO®:6
Note: KLOXXADO® freezes at temperatures below 5°F (-15°C). If this happens, the device will not spray. Get emergency medical help right away if this happens. Do not wait for KLOXXADO® to thaw. KLOXXADO® may still be used if it has been thawed after being previously frozen.
Do not apply any pressure until you are ready to give the dose.
Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose.
Move the person on their side (recovery position) giving KLOXXADO® Nasal Spray. Watch the person closely for 2 to 3 minutes.
If the person does not respond by waking up, responding to voice or touch or starting to breathe normally, another dose may be given.
Repeat Steps 3 through 7 using a new KLOXXADO® Nasal Spray to give another dose in the other nostril. If more is available, Steps 3 through 7 may be repeated every 2 to 3 minutes, alternating nostrils, until the person responds or emergency medical help is received.
Always try KLOXXADO® if you suspect an opioid overdose.6 While it won’t harm someone who is not having an opioid overdose, it could save the life of someone who is.6,20 To find out more about KLOXXADO®, including details on how to use it and where to get it, visit KLOXXADO.com.6
NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not recommendations, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. Full list of references and attributing links below.