1 day Ago
By Andrea Thomas As the opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across Colorado, it’s shocking to learn that the Independent Interfraternity Council (IFC) on the Hill at the University of Colorado Boulder does not offer any opioid reversal agents to the 21 fraternities it oversees. This oversight comes at a time when heightened awareness around the opioid crisis, particularly on college campuses, should prompt proactive measures to protect students’ lives. FDA-approved opioid reversal agents are life-saving medications that can reverse opioid overdoses and poisonings when administered in time.
As college students across Colorado study for and take exams, many are turning to stimulants to power through long nights of studying and finishing projects. While some use their own prescriptions, others borrow from friends or purchase medications online. This dangerous trend is further compounded by the rise of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recently highlighted a sharp nationwide increase in the lethality of these counterfeit pills.
According to their laboratory analysis in 2022, six out of ten fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl — a sobering statistic with life-altering implications for college students. The lack of FDA-approved opioid reversal agents among IFC on the Hill-affiliated fraternities represents a missed opportunity to address a clear and present danger. College students are not immune to the opioid epidemic; in fact, they are increasingly vulnerable due to the prevalence of counterfeit pills and the normalization of sharing medications.
The stakes are too high to ignore. With festivals, concerts, and sporting events on the horizon, thousands of Coloradans and visitors will come together. This season often carries an increased risk of drug-related emergencies, including synthetic opioid overdoses and poisonings.
In 2023, approximately five Coloradans died each day from overdose or poisoning, totaling 1,865 lives lost. In the last decade, overdose and poisoning deaths in our state have more than doubled, jumping from 839 in 2013 to 1,865 in 2023. Efforts to combat this crisis have gained traction.
For instance, Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse recently hosted a webinar . This event underscored the importance of equipping campuses with all FDA-approved overdose reversal agents. Colorado’s standing order allows individuals to carry and administer these medications , but the language of the order is limited, hindering frontline responders from accessing innovative FDA-approved products tailored to their needs.
Given the lethality of fentanyl — 50 times stronger than heroin — having only one reversal agent restricts the ability to respond to the full scope of overdose and poisoning emergencies. Access to all FDA-approved agents would ensure we are prepared for every situation, especially this time of year when the risk of drug-related emergencies is even higher. It’s critical that our policies reflect this heightened need for preparedness.
Overdose risks are particularly acute for the “opioid naive” population — individuals who have little to no previous exposure to opioids. College students often fall into this category, and even a single use of a counterfeit or contaminated substance can result in a fatal overdose or poisoning. This heightened vulnerability underscores the need for campuses to provide access to all available reversal agents.
Educating students about the risks and ensuring that they have access to life-saving interventions can make the difference between life and death. By updating the standing order, Colorado can better address the opioid crisis and equip organizations like IFC on the Hill with the tools to save lives. Providing access to all FDA-approved opioid reversal agents is not just a symbolic gesture — it’s a practical, life-saving measure that acknowledges the risks students face.
Let’s ensure that our college campuses are prepared to address this crisis head-on. Lives depend on it. Andrea Thomas is the founder of Facing Fentanyl.
Thomas is also affiliated with the Colorado Coalition for Families Affected by Fentanyl..
