By Bob Katzen

This bill would require all state universities that have dormitories or other housing for students to have Narcan or similar opioid antagonists in each college-operated housing building. Narcan is an emergency treatment used for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdose.

The bill would also require that all resident assistants (Ras) employed by the school be trained in the administration of Narcan.

“Massachusetts set a new record high for overdose deaths in 2021, with 2,290 lives tragically lost,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield). “Opioid antagonists like Narcan continue to be our best tool to reverse overdoses when they occur and this legislation would help expand access to this critical medication on college campuses throughout our state.”