New law will bring opioid overdose reversal medication to college campuses

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation this week that will require campuses in the California Community Colleges and California State University systems to distribute federally approved opioid overdose reversal medication and educational materials about it on campuses.

Senator Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger, authored the bill to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths at public universities and colleges by requiring them to distribute nasal spray doses of overdose medication, such as naloxone, at all campus health centers, she said.

Adults ages 18 to 25 are most likely to abuse prescription opioid pain relievers, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stimulants and anti-anxiety drugs, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Lawmakers also requested that the University of California distribute the medication and educational materials, but can’t require it because state law allows the university more autonomy than Cal State.