Accessing Narcan at YVC

Questions? Contact Us.

Occupational Health and Safety Office
ohs@yvcc.edu
509-574-4857

Accessing Narcan at Yakima Valley College

Narcan logo. Yakima Valley College recognizes that licit and illicit drug use is a part of our world and chooses to embrace a harm reduction approach instead of minimizing, condemning or stigmatizing drug use. Harm reduction is a spectrum of practical prevention strategies that reduce the likelihood or seriousness of alcohol or other drug related harm, and can range from abstinence to managed use. Not all YVC students use drugs, but for those who do, we just want you to be safe.

Opioid overdose can happen fast – in seconds. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose, even while it’s happening. NARCAN is a brand name medication of a single dose of Naloxone, set up as a nasal spray, intended to help rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

NARCAN was designed for people with no medical training. It is easy to use, safe to use even if opioids are not present (if you are unsure of an opioid overdose specifically is happening), works nearly instantly to revive someone during an overdose, and is available over the counter at most pharmacies.

NARCAN Instructions

Step 1: Check for signs of opioid overdose. Gently shake the person and yell “Wake up!”. If the person does not wake and signs of opioid overdose are present, go to Step 2.

Step 2: Give NARCAN. Hold the nasal spray device with your thumb on the button of the plunger and insert the nozzle into either nostril. Press the plunger firmly to give the NARCAN dose. Each nasal spray device is one dose.

Step 3: Call 911 immediately after giving NARCAN.

Step 4: Watch and give if needed. Wait 2-3 minutes after the first dose to see if the person wakes up. If the person does not wake up, continue to give doses ever 2-3 minutes until they do. It is safe to keep giving doses.

Step 5: Stay with the person until an ambulance arrives, even if the person wakes up. Give another dose if the person becomes very sleepy again and can’t stay awake.

  • For use in either nostril only
  • Do not test nasal spray device before use
  • 1 nasal spray device contains 1 dose of medicine
  • Each device sprays 1 time only


Where to Get Naloxone

YVC provides free NARCAN to any student, faculty, or staff member, Persons requesting NARCAN are not required to provide personal information.

These resources are available at designated locations across the YVC campuses:

  • Student Life and Government Office (HUB, Room 146)
  • Student Residence Center (SRC) Main Office (Room 101)
  • Student Counseling Office (Deccio Room 164)
  • Main Building - Front Desk (Main Lobby)

  • Toppenish Learning Center - Front desk (Main Lobby)

  • Ellensburg ABE Center - Front desk (Main Lobby)

Additional Information

Opioid overdose can happen fast. If any one of these signs are present, call 911 and give NARCAN.

  • Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
  • Unusual and heavy sleepiness or unresponsiveness
  • Slow, shallow, or absent breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Skin feels clammy and cold
  • Pale, blue, gray, or cold nails, lips or fingertips

In Washington State, anyone trying to help in good faith during a medical emergency is generally protected from civil liabilities by RCW 4.24.300. WA State’s 911 Good Samaritan Overdose Law RCW 69.50.315 gives additional, specific protections against drug possession charges:

  • If you seek medical assistance in a drug-related overdose, you cannot be prosecuted for drug possession.
  • The overdose victim is also protected from drug possession charges.
  • Anyone in WA State who might have or witness an opioid overdose is allowed to carry and administer naloxone. (RCW 69.41.095)

In Washington state, anyone who might have or witness an overdose can legally possess and administer naloxone (or NARCAN). Learn more about Good Samaritan protection.


Frequently Asked Questions

Narcan (naloxone) is a safe medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose by restoring normal breathing. It has no harmful effects if administered to someone not experiencing an opioid overdose, making it safe to use in uncertain situations.

A person does not need to be breathing for the NARCAN nasal spray to work. The medicine is absorbed by the nasal mucosa and does not need to be inhaled to work.

Store at room temperature or refrigerate, between 36 degrees F and 77 degrees F. Do not freeze it, protect it from light, and avoid excessive heat (above 104 degrees F).

No, it is safe to keep giving doses every 2-3 minutes until the person wakes up or emergency personnel arrive.

People may experience withdrawal symptoms upon waking, such as shaking, sweating, nausea, feeling angry or wanting to use opioids. This is expected.

It usually starts working within minutes and lasts from 60 to 120 minutes. More than one dose may be needed, which is why getting immediate medical care is critical.

No, it is available over the counter at most pharmacies.

No, the program is not designed to promote or condone drug use. It is a harm-reduction initiative aimed at preventing fatal overdoses and educating the campus community about opioid risks and prevention. By offering resources, we are addressing a critical public health issue and equipping individuals to respond in emergencies.

The training ensures that everyone on campus understands how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. This is part of YVC’s broader commitment to safety and education. Empowering our community with this knowledge can save lives and create a more informed and supportive environment.

Expired Narcan will not be discarded. Instead, YVC will return expired doses to the Washington State Department of Health or donate them to local community organizations that can use them in emergency situations.

Washington State’s Good Samaritan Law protects individuals who assist in an overdose emergency. If someone administers Narcan in good faith, they are shielded from legal consequences, even if the person does not recover fully.

Washington has one of the highest per capita opioid overdose rates in the Pacific Northwest, with increasing deaths among youth. Yakima County, where YVC is located, is particularly affected. This program ensures that our campus is prepared to respond to this public health crisis and protect our students, employees, and visitors. House Bill 2112, passed in 2024, requires all higher education institutions in Washington state to provide opioid education and awareness training for employees and students.

The program is supported by state and federal public health initiatives, including funds from Washington State’s opioid recovery programs. 

Parents can talk openly with their students about the dangers of opioids, encourage them to participate in the training, and remind them to act responsibly in emergencies. By working together, we can create a safer community for everyone.

Parents are encouraged to contact YVC’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) team at ohs@yvcc.edu for more details about the program or any concerns they may have.

Questions? Contact Us.

Occupational Health and Safety Office
ohs@yvcc.edu
509-574-4857