Naloxone (Narcan) Information
UH West Oʻahu Narcan Distribution Project
Attempting to lower the occurrence of opioid-related overdoses in Hawai‘i.
UH West Oʻahu Narcan Distribution Project
UH West Oʻahu is committed to providing free access to Naloxone through a collaboration with the Hawaiʻi State Dept. of Health and the Hawaiʻi Opioid Initiative. UH West Oʻahu offers free Naloxone (also called Narcan) kits to students and employees at various sites around the campus.

What is Naloxone (Narcan)?
“The medication Naloxone has been proven to stop the effects of opioid overdose and save lives, and it is legal to carry in the state of Hawai‘i. Also called Narcan, Naloxone is an inexpensive, FDA-approved generic drug that works to reverse an opioid overdose, including fentanyl overdose, by restoring breath to unconscious overdose victims. Naloxone is not psychoactive, has no potential for misuse or abuse, and side effects are rare.”
– Hawai’i Opioid Initiative
Where can I get Naloxone on campus?
Naloxone (Narcan) distribution sites are available throughout the UH West O‘ahu campus. See the campus map for location sites.
Responding to an Overdose
Minutes count in an opioid overdose. If you think someone has overdosed, follow these steps:
FAQs
It is available at 13 locations on our campus. It is also available over the counter at pharmacies across Hawai‘i and in bars and restaurants.
Naloxone only works on overdoses caused by opioids. It does not work for other drugs such as benzodiazepines.
Prior to the administration of naloxone, all patients should be assessed for other causes of altered mental status and/or respiratory depression such as hypoxia, hypoglycemia, head injury, shock, and stroke.
No harm to victim; typically zero negative effects.
Naloxone acts in two to three minutes. If the person does not wake up in three minutes, bystanders should give a second dose.
The anger of the person who has been resuscitated is variously attributed to the naloxone causing them to lose their ‘high’, to feel that they have wasted their drugs or money, or to experience uncomfortable or painful withdrawal symptoms (known as ‘acute withdrawal syndrome’).
Naloxone, the medicine in Narcan®, wears off in 30 to 90 minutes. Stay with the person until they go to the hospital, or until the naloxone wears off, to make sure they do not overdose again. If you do not seek medical care, stay with the person for at least 3 hours and watch for signs of returning overdose.
Turn the person on their side with their body supported by bent knee, hand under their head, and face turned to the side. This is known as the recovery position. Stay with them until help arrives.
Campus Health Center
Stacey J Kelly, RN, MSN, CMSRN
skelly3@hawaii.edu
(808) 689-2679