You are here: American University Finance Communications Campus Harm Reduction Update, October 2023

Back to top

Communication October 19, 2023

Dear AU Community,

We want to share an important update about our harm reduction strategies and how the community can access life-saving drugs and be trained to help decrease fatal overdoses.ÌýOur approach remains based on a commitment to the health and safety of our community, specifically by providing harm reduction measures in a variety of ways.

Last year, the university launched a community-based health initiative around naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. A third-party organization was on campus to provide training to members of the community who were interested in learning how to use Narcan, the brand name medicine in the form of a nasal spray, in case of emergency.Ìý

Last month, the Center for Well-Being Programs and Psychological Services offered a continuation of this training for AU community members in conjunction with the DC Department of Behavioral Health. The next Narcan training will be hosted on November 15 and interested participants can .Ìý

This fall, our police department is working with the Center for Well-Being for AUPD officers to be trained and will carry Narcan to administer to someone in a crisis.Ìý

As part of our harm reduction strategy, we are exploring the feasibility of providing placements of naloxone boxes, supplied with Narcan, across campus. This consideration will be made in consultation with community members.

You can also obtain Narcan from local pharmacies, including select CVS, Walgreens, Giant, Safeway, and Community Health Center across all eight wards of the District. Additionally, Narcan can be obtained through the following:

  • By mail via:
  • By contacting LiveLongDC via text at 888-811
  • Select District firehouse vending machines:

These may be provided to anyone without an ID or prescription and at no cost.

This approach is based on our commitment to the health and safety of our community.Ìý

We continue to explore additional resources for harm reduction on our campus, including additional training planned for the spring.

Sincerely,

Raymond Lu Ming Ou 
Vice President of Student Affairs

Bronté Burleigh-Jones 
CFO, Vice President, and Treasurer