By RAEGAN NEUFELD
Tiger Media Network
The Student Government Association meeting on Thursday covered several topics related to student wellness, starting with a presentation about Narcan, an over-the-counter nasal spray that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
FHSU Health and Wellness Services Medical Director Jeffery Curtis and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs David Bollig gave the presentation. They are working this year to spread awareness about opioid overdoses and how to use Narcan. So far, they have spoken to half a dozen student organizations on campus.
“We would much rather be proactive than reactive and kick ourselves,” Curtis said.
According to Curtis, opioid overdoses can happen unknowingly or accidentally and are commonly caused by fentanyl in a college setting. Overdoses can occur when people take pills without knowing what they are or when an opioid is added to their drink. Warning signs of an overdose include unresponsiveness, labored breathing, no breathing at all and blue lips.
Narcan is administered like other nasal sprays, will work even if the person is not breathing and will last for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Curtis emphasized that Narcan has no adverse effects.
“You cannot harm the patient by administering Narcan, it can only help them,” he said. “It will not worsen the condition that they’re in, and nothing bad is going to happen to you because you’re protected by good samaritan laws. You may be in a shady location or around some shady people, maybe even you were doing something shady, but isn’t saving a life worth that?”
Bollig shared the same emphasis, stating that Narcan is safe even if a person is not experiencing an opioid overdose and is unresponsive for another reason. He also mentioned that 9-1-1 should always be called first.
“You could have someone that this brings out of an overdose, you walk away because they’re fine and then they relapse,” he said.
Health and Wellness Services is working to have doses of Narcan on hand for students, and it can also be ordered on this website. Curtis said his goal is for all students, faculty and staff to carry it with them.
“It’s a no-brainer,” he said.
In related news, SGA President Ella Burrows reported that medical appointments with Health and Wellness Services can now be made online. Counseling and accessibility appointments must still be made over the phone.
Burrows also provided an update on the Food and Hunger Initiatives. According to Burrows, 8,814 people have taken 27,730 items from the Tiger Food Pantry since January.
“I think that’s really showing of how important it is that we continue to support the pantry and make sure everyone is aware of the services they provide,” she said.
Last week, Sen. Marcell Dely asked about ways to provide help to the families of student-athletes and coaches who have been affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Burrows said she has organized a bake sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Memorial Union on Monday. All proceeds will go towards a donation to the American Red Cross.
Lastly, Burrows talked about the annual safety walk, which senators and executive staff members conducted after the meeting. Every year, SGA goes around campus to identify any areas that may be unsafe.
“We’re looking for lights that are out, call buttons that aren’t operational, anything that might make people feel like they can’t walk at night,” Burrows said.
Other SGA news
- Resolution No. 24/F/101, which was passed in September and recommends students be given an excused absence to vote in their home districts, will not be voted on in the Faculty Senate before the elections in November. However, Legislative Affairs Director Grace McCord said the resolution received positive feedback and should be supported.
- The Serena’s Sunflower Memorial Color Run is this Saturday. The event begins at 9 a.m. outside the Memorial Union, and all proceeds from entry fees and donations will go towards a scholarship fund in honor of Serena Blaske.
The next SGA meeting will be at 7 p.m. on October 24 in the Black and Gold Room. Location is subject to change.