Alcohol and Drug Abuse Notice
The North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) is committed to providing an environment that maximizes academic achievement and personal growth. NOCCCD recognizes that alcohol and other drug abuse pose a significant threat to the health, safety, and well-being of users and the people around them. Substance abuse also interferes with academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular interests, and can lead to health, personal, social, economic, and legal problems.
Fullerton College is committed to a drug-free campus so that students and staff can work in a drug-free environment.
In addition to our commitment to providing a drug-free environment, education and help to students, there are federal and state laws as well as the CCCD Board Policies (BP 3550 / AP 3550) which specifically prohibit the use and possession, distribution, or sale of drugs or alcohol on College property or at any College-sponsored activity or event. These rules also describe the penalties and disciplinary actions that may come into play when violations occur for those who abuse or do not take positive steps to get help. In addition, Fullerton College is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. Please visit NOCCCD Board Policy and Administrative Procedure (AP 3570) for specific information.
Opioid Overdose Reversal Medication
How much does it take to overdose?
Fentanyl is a major cause of fatal and nonfatal overdoses in California and the United States.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is often added to other drugs to increase potency creating cheaper, more dangerous, addictive drugs. The DEA and law enforcement partners are seizing deadly counterfeit pills at record rates, seizing 20.4 million fake pills across the United States in 2021 with 4 out of 10 pills laced with fentanyl. Pills purchased outside of a licensed pharmacy are illegal, dangerous, and potentially lethal.
Fentanyl cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted making fentanyl-laced drugs extremely dangerous as people may be unaware that fentanyl is in the drug they are taking. Fentanyl can be injected, smoked, snorted/sniffed, taken orally by pill, or spiked onto blotter paper.
Early intervention can save a life.
Recognize the signs of an overdose.
Fentanyl and opioid analgesics such as morphine produce similar effects in the body including euphoria, relaxation, drowsiness, sedation, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, pain relief, constricted pupils, and respiratory depression. Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. It is important to recognize the signs of an overdose, early intervention can save a life.
Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. (That’s less than the weight of an average mosquito!)
Providing Care to Yourself or a Friend in Need
Look for Signs of Addiction
- Look for signs of addiction such as changes in appearance (sudden weight loss or gain, needle marks, frequent nose bleeds, lack of hygiene) and behavior (extreme mood changes, risky activities, isolation, neglecting responsibilities).
- Encourage your friend to seek professional help for addiction and medical detox
- If your friend is misusing opioids, get Narcan, a medication used to treat an opioid overdose. If you suspect an opioid overdose, call 911 and administer Narcan.
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Small, constricted ‘pinpoint’ pupils.
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness.
- Limp body.
- Slow, weak, or no breathing.
- Choking or gurgling sounds.
- Cold and/or clammy skin.
- Discolored skin, lips, and/or nails.
If you think someone is overdosing, take action!
- Immediately call 911.
- Administer naloxone, if available.
- Keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency responders arrive.
Accessing Narcan (Naxalone)
Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone works by blocking the receptors that opioids bind to, restoring breathing. Naloxone comes in two forms, an injectable and a nasal spray. Narcan is one brand name for the generic medication naloxone. Narcan is a safe, effective and easy to administer nasal spray.
Fullerton College Student Health Center orders and stores Narcan and provides Narcan to Fullerton College Campus Safety Officers. Since 2022, the Health Center has had in place an annual Narcan training and certificate program administered through Solas and now with Orange County Health Care Agency.
Referals
The Student Health Center provides information and referrals to community resources, support groups, and social services. Visit the Student Health Center website on the Fullerton College home page.Students can meet with a mental health counselor or registered nurse at the Student Health Center if they have questions or concerns. In addition, a number of Fullerton College staff members are available to refer students to the help they need.
Self-Help Resources
A wide variety of self-help groups meet on campus, or in the community. All of them are open to students if they wish to take advantage of the services. Visit the Student Health Center for current referrals.
Confidential professional counseling for all active employees and family members is available. Employees can contact got to NOCCCD – Employment Benefits, Employee Assistance Program: www.guidanceresources.com
References:
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/sapb/Pages/Fentanyl.aspx
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html
United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) https://www.dea.gov/onepill-toolbox
For Campus related COVID-19 updates, please visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information | Fullerton College (fullcoll.edu)
For information about the NOCCCD Vaccine Mandate, please visit this link: FC Return To Hive Info