Opioids are a class of drugs that include heroine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine.  Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid.  Pharmaceutical fentanyl is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic and anesthetic. 

Fentanyl can also be illegally made and distributed.  It can be made in both a liquid and powder formula and can be mixed with other drugs.  Fentanyl is not detectable through sight, taste, smell, or touch.  However, fentanyl can be detected through the use of fentanyl test strips, which are small strips of paper that can detect fentanyl in different kind of drugs when dissolved in water.

Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.  It works by binding to opioid receptors in the body and can reverse and block the effects of opioids.

Washington's Good Samaritan Law limits liability for a person who renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency or who participates in transporting an injured person from the scene, without compensation or the expectation of compensation.  The law excludes persons who render such care during the course of regular employment and who receive compensation or expect to receive compensation for such care.

Each public and private institution of higher education must provide opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness information to all students. Education may be offered in person or online and must include information about Washington's Good Samaritan Law.

Naloxone and fentanyl strips must be made available to students on campus in various accessible locations. 

Institutions must provide staff working in residence halls training and education on administering naloxone.

For the purpose of assisting a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose, an institution may obtain and maintain opioid overdose reversal medication through a standing order prescribed and dispensed in accordance with an existing standing order. 

PRO: We face a crisis with fentanyl and opiates. Youth are some of our hardest hit populations. Too often young people are afraid to call for help for fear of getting in trouble and too often they don't have the tools to save lives. Naloxone and fentanyl test strips are lifesaving interventions. This bill is an important step forward and will save lives. Well-crafted education and awareness when couples with lifesaving interventions like naloxone and test strips will save lives. Tacoma Community College is a leader among institutions in stocking Naloxone in every building. This bill will bring this lifesaving intervention to every campus. We are in support of this bill and ask that it get funded and included in the budget. This is a proactive measure in tackling this crisis before our communities. It is imperative that we educate our students on the dangers of opioids.

OTHER: We are aligned with the intent of this bill but are wary of the costs. We hope the final bill will include a review or sunset of this bill. We ask that recurring grant funds we provided to support the not-for-profit colleges in implementing this and training staff.