Over the course of the last year, a number of campus offices and organizations, including the Office of Health Promotion (OHP) and Voices of Equity (VoE), have engaged in efforts to bring free Narcan, generically known as naloxone, to campus for student and community access for emergency use.
The National Harm Reduction Coalition describes Narcan as an opioid antagonist that is used to counter the effects of overdoses from substances such as heroin and fentanyl. When excess quantities of these substances are ingested, they can cause a shutdown of the central nervous system and impact core life functions like breathing and heartbeat. Narcan counters these effects by reversing potentially lethal overdoses, but the drug only works if a person has opioids in their system; otherwise, it has no effect. Narcan is generally administered intranasally, making it easy for non-medical personnel to be trained in its use.
A student familiar with the matter (Student A) explained that the Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition (RCCMHC) has been working on a project to install and stock permanent Narcan boxes throughout the community. Student A explained, “I learned that St. Olaf had worked with RCCMHC to install 22 Naloxone boxes in various buildings on their campus. Carleton had rejected RCCMHC’s offer to install them on our campus.”
In July of 2025, St Olaf College published their Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulation Biennial Review, which outlined plans to integrate information about Narcan administration into student leader training, among other efforts. Other peer institutions, such as Macalester College, offer their students 24/7 access to no-cost harm reduction supplies including Narcan and fentanyl test strips.
According to the RCCMHC, there are currently free Narcan access boxes in locations around the city including the Northfield Liquor Store, the Northfield Public Library, the Community Action Center and Carbone’s Pizzeria, among others.
Currently, the only way to access Narcan on campus is through Security Services officers or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Security began carrying Narcan in May of 2025, according to the May 29 issue of the Carleton Today newsletter, while EMTs began carrying Narcan earlier this academic year.
Student A said, “OHP is currently unable to offer Narcan to students. This is not due to finances, it is a decision that has come from the administration.” They added that OHP had previously offered Fentanyl test strips to students, but had been told they could not continue to do so. OHP has also not been permitted to offer Narcan training on campus.
VoE, an organization promoting healthcare justice on campus, has been offering Narcan training instead. VoE Outreach Officer Paige Peters ’29 explained that they began working on Narcan access after discussions with OHP. They have previously brought Steve Rummler’s HOPE Network to campus every term, offering a Narcan training at the conclusion of which students can receive a free Narcan kit.
Although the organization has successfully hosted training sessions in the past, most recently in February, the spring term training scheduled for Friday, May 16, has recently been canceled by the administration, citing, according to Peters, “a lack of Carleton policy on naloxone.”
While opioid use at Carleton is relatively low, overdose is always a risk both among students, faculty, staff and members of the broader community who may access parts of campus. Student A emphasizes how the infiltration of fentanyl into the drug supply may pose an even greater risk of overdose, since even a tiny dose can be lethal. The National Harm Reduction Coalition says that fentanyl can be about 50 times stronger than heroin, and it is partially responsible for the high rates of overdose across the United States. Due to its strength, overdoses caused by fentanyl can require more than one dose of Narcan to reverse.
Student A explains, “Ideally, naloxone would be available upon request from OHP, or located in AED boxes or vending machines around campus.”
An existing effort provides free Plan B and Covid-19 tests to students in campus vending machines. Student A adds that stigma around drug use might prevent students from reaching out to Security Services in an emergency situation, and access to harm reduction methods can, and does, save lives.
Student A says that Narcan access work on campus has faced a number of hurdles. While some progress has been made in regards to Security officers and EMTs carrying Narcan on duty, both Peters and Student A note that the administration appears reluctant to expand the offering. Peters previously met with Associate Dean of Students Cathy Carlson who expressed concerns about a lack of need for Narcan on campus. Dean of Students Carolyn Livingston has said that recommendations about Narcan on campus will be reviewed this summer. Student A expressed frustration at the lack of urgency, which they speculated may have to do with a misunderstanding of harm reduction principles.
“Just because Carleton students have access to Narcan, doesn’t mean there is a drug issue on campus,” Student A said.
As efforts to bring Narcan access to campus continue, VoE has begun work on a student petition which Peters reports has collected over 90 signatures. Livingston had previously shared with Student A that a President’s Cabinet meeting occurring this term might revisit the issue, but later told The Carletonian that the policy would be reviewed over the summer.
Both Peters and Student A highlight how Narcan access saves lives. Peters explains, “By increasing Narcan access, Carleton would show that they really do care about their student population and sees each of us as more than just a number.”
Student A echoed that sentiment, pointing to broad community support from avenues such as the petition. They added, “Alumni support Narcan access, students support Narcan access, faculty and staff support Narcan access and our peer institutions do as well. Why is it too much to ask for at Carleton?”
