Opioid Overdose Prevention

The Cornell Health Pharmacy began an Opioid Overdose Prevention Program in 2023, enabling our pharmacy staff to support the Cornell community by providing free Naloxone (Narcan®), free Fentanyl & Xylazine testing strips, and Naloxone / Narcan training. 

Opioid overdoses are often preventable. While opioid use is uncommon at Cornell, it's important for every community member to be familiar with overdose prevention resources.  

• How to lower the risk of opioid overdose
• View the SAFE Project's 5-minute opioid overdose response training video

Free Naloxone (Narcan) & testing strips

Available in our 24/7 vending machine: 

The Cornell Health pharmacy provides free free Naloxone spray (Narcan) and free Fentanyl & Xylazine testing strips, available in our 24/7 self-care vending machine, located inside our Ho Plaza entrance

Available in these other campus locations: 

Free Naloxone spray and/or Narcan is also available at the following on-campus locations:

• the vending machine on the ground level of RPCC
• the vending machine outside Risley Hall, by the entrance to the Risley Theatre
• the vending machine inside the entrance of Mann Library
• the vending machine inside the entrance of Upson Hall

Available in these Tompkins County locations:

Find other places to get free Narcan kits in Tompkins County (scroll to bottom of linked page).

Naloxone / Narcan training

Cornell Health Pharmacy staff partner with Cornell's Division of Public Safety to provide Naloxone / Narcan awareness and trainings on campus. Each individual who attends the training receives an emergency overdose kit with two free naloxone nasal sprays. Use this program request form to request a training.

Lower the risk of opioid overdose

Use of opioids (such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, heroin, methadone, and fentanyl) is uncommon among Cornell students. For those who do use opioids, it is extremely important to take precautions to lower the risk of overdose. Our Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) staff provide Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services for students struggling with use. 

Beware of fentanyl-laced "street" drugs

Tompkins County Whole Health (TCHW) recently alerted the community about opioid overdose deaths in Tompkins County, and shared that local drug testing indicated that nearly all illicit / street drugs in the county were contaminated with fentanyl (and/or xylazine). Synthetic substances such as fentanyl are highly associated with risk of unintentional overdose death. 

Please be aware that fentanyl may even be added into unregulated cannabis vape products sold in local stores. TCWH recommends that adults (21+) only purchase cannabis products from licensed dispensaries that are required to adhere to strict product quality and safety standards.

Know when to call for help

If you think someone is having an adverse reaction to a drug, or if they have sustained a head injury while drinking or using other drugs, it is imperative you call 911. Know the ABCD signs requiring emergency medical attention. 

Under Cornell’s Good Samaritan Protocol (“Good Sam”), and New York State's Good Samaritan Law, those who call for help – and those who receive help – in an alcohol or other drug-related emergency are protected from judicial and/or legal consequences.

5-minute opioid overdose response training

We recommend the following training video, developed by the SAFE Project, to learn how to respond to an opioid overdose and how to administer Naloxone.