Substance use emergencies can be life-threatening, but with the right tools, knowledge, and policies in place, lives can be saved. At The University of Alabama, we are committed to equipping students with the resources and support they need to act confidently and responsibly in the face of overdose risks. The following resources are designed to help you stay informed, be prepared, and potentially save a life.
Medical Amnesty Law
Medical Amnesty–also known as the 911 Lifeline or 911 Good Samaritan Law in some state–is a state-wide law which grants intoxicated minors a limited legal immunity when they seek help for themselves or another individual who is in need of immediate medical attention.
Narcan
Narcan (generic, Naloxone nasal spray) is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Narcan can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine.
The Jefferson County Department of Health provides free virtual Narcan training and kits to anyone who wishes to carry this life saving drug. To receive training and obtain two free doses of Narcan, please visit the JCDH website.
Fentanyl Awareness
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.
However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects.
Rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, increased over 16% from 2018 to 2019. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids were nearly 12 times higher in 2019 than in 2013. More than 36,000 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids in 2019. For more information on fentanyl overdose data please visit The Center for Disease Control website.