Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips are available anonymously and AT NO COST through Gauchos for Recovery peer interns.
Naloxone (brand name Narcan) is an easy to use nasal spray medication that can reverse opioid overdose when used right away.
Fentanyl Test Strips are a tool to identify the presence of fentanyl in unregulated drugs. Fentanyl is an extremely potent drug that has been found in many different substances (such as cocaine, ecstasy, and other opioids), usually without the knowledge of the person using the substance. It is recommended that you test any substance you plan to consume to check for the presence of fentanyl.
Click here for Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strip Instructions
Overdose kit pickup hours
All pickup is in Embarcadero Hall Rm 1105 (first floor, entrance across from Caje/Woodstock's)
email Hugh_cook@ucsb.edu to arrange pickup, until Fall pickup times are established.
Follow GFR on Instagram for most up-to-date pickup times and cancellations, and distribution events.
@gauchos_for_recovery
Please note that this schedule is subject to change during finals week and university closures, and may change at other times due to staff availability. We will post updates on Instagram.
GFR peer interns have regular drop-in hours for pick up of Overdose Prevention Kits, which include both Narcan and Fentanyl Test Strips. We do not collect any identifying information when someone picks up a kit. We will train you how to use Narcan and test strips in 5 minutes or less.
We give one kit per person and cannot give out large quantities to individuals. We are available to do group trainings if you are interested in getting kits for members of your UCSB organization. Email us at ucsbgfr@gmail.com to request a group training. We cannot offer trainings for organizations not affiliated with UCSB. Please utilize other resources or Email Joan Hartmann to advocate for increased accessibility.
Other ways to get Narcan/Fentanyl Test Strips in Santa Barbara:
Pacific Pride Foundation offers free Narcan and Fentanyl Test Strips. Visit their website for their current distribution schedule and locations.
Cottage Hospital has Narcan kits available to the public 24 hrs/day in the Emergency Department at the Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Santa Ynez Valley locations.
Additional options can be found on the SB County website Fentanyl is Forever.
How To Get Naloxone/Fentanyl Test Strips if you are not in the UCSB Area:
Look up your local Syringe Exchange and inquire with them. Find a list of syringe exchange programs in California here.
Ask your primary care doctor for a third-party prescription of Naloxone (cost of rx will depend on insurance coverage).
Contact your local drug store (national chains like CVS and Walgreens may be able to give out Naloxone without a prescription, but practices vary by store, and cost will depend on your insurance coverage).
Frequently Asked Questions About Overdose
Opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency attention. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose is essential to saving lives.
if a person exhibits ANY of the following symptoms, Call 911 immediately and administer Narcan (if you have it):
- Their face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
- Their body goes limp
- Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
- They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
- They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
- Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops
AB 472, California's 911 Good Samaritan law, provides limited protection from arrest, charge and prosecution for people who seek emergency medical assistance at the scene of a suspected drug overdose. It protects from charges for low-level drug offenses such as possession of a controlled substance for personal use and being under the influence of a controlled substance. It does NOT protect from charges for high-level drug offenses such as driving under the influence or engaging in sales of controlled substances.
Naloxone is very safe and can be given to someone even if you aren't sure what substance they have used. It will not harm them, but it also won't have any effect. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose and you have Naloxone, use it, and call 911. If they have used something other than opioids, or if they have opioids and additional substances in their body, the Naloxone will not reverse the overdose symptoms from non-opioids.
Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that is up to 50x stronger than heroin and 100x stronger than morphine. In the last several years, manufacturers of illicit drugs have begun contaminating their drug supply with fentanyl because it is much cheaper, easier to obtain, and has a stronger effect than other drugs. Fentanyl has been found in almost all types of unregulated drugs.
Most of the time, the person using the contaminated substance has no idea that it contains fentanyl. Substances laced with fentanyl can lead to accidental overdose, sometimes resulting in death.
Although there is no guaranteed way to determine if Fentanyl is present in a substance, Fentanyl test strips are a tool that can be used to lower your risk of accidental opioid overdose. It is recommended that you test every substance you plan to take to ensure that it does not contain fentanyl. Being prepared to prevent and respond to an overdose is essential if you plan to use any substances.