Steven Moran
Multimedia Journalist
Purple newspaper kiosks distributing generic naloxone nasal spray have recently appeared on the Texas A&M University-San Antonio campus.
These kiosks, also called “Barney Boxes,” are located in the Commuter Lounge of the Central Academic Building and the lobby of the Student Counseling Center. They distribute potentially life-saving medication to students and the Southside community free of charge.
Naloxone, also known by brand names Narcan and Kloxxado, is an “opioid antagonist,” a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, temporarily blocking other opioids from attaching to the receptors and restoring normal breathing, according to a DrugFacts article by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The full article is linked here.
In addition to the “Barney Boxes,” two smaller, wall-mounted boxes are located in the residence halls.
The kiosks could not only help save lives but also save the community money, as two doses of the drug typically cost $27 to $40 over the counter.
In an interview with The Mesquite, Joanna Vela, director of student counseling and member of JED Campus Task Force at A&M-San Antonio one week before the fall semester. The university is in the second year of a four-year program focused on reducing suicide, substance abuse and mental health concerns as part of the nationwide JED Campus initiative.
More information on the JED Campus initiative can be found on the Jed Foundation’s website, linked here.
“It’s easy for people to think, ‘Well, I’m never going to be using those substances. Why might I ever be exposed to needing naloxone?’” Vela said, “But what we find is there are other medications that sometimes might be laced with fentanyl, which is a highly potent opioid.”
Vela said Texas saw a dramatic increase in drug overdoses, particularly related to opioid overdoses, between 2019 and 2024, leading to the creation of initiatives such as Be Well Texas.
Naloxone and all four kiosks were provided to the university by the Be Well Texas initiative at UT Health, at no cost to students.
The DrugFacts article by the NIDA article says naloxone typically comes in one of two forms approved by the Food and Drug Administration: an injection or a prepackaged nasal spray. These are the preferred naloxone delivery systems because they have been shown to produce higher blood naloxone levels.
The article also notes that improvised nasal spray kits are available, combining injectable naloxone with a device to deliver the medication through the nose. However, these kits are not FDA-approved, are difficult to assemble in an emergency and often require training to use properly.
A single dose of Naloxone only works for 30 to 90 minutes, and most opioids may remain in the body longer, so additional doses may be required.
Vela said that In addition to the kiosks, all university police officers now carry naloxone and are trained to administer it in an emergency.
How do I tell if someone is experiencing an overdose, and what do I do?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse lists the following as typical signs of an opioid overdose. If someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, administer naloxone and call 911 immediately.
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- unconsciousness
- very small pupils
- slow or shallow breathing
- vomiting
- an inability to speak
- faint heartbeat
- limp arms and legs
- pale skin
- purple lips and fingernails
