Naloxone awareness and acquisition: Findings from the 2021‒2022 Canadian Postsecondary Education Alcohol and Drug Use Survey.

Abstract

Objectives: This cross-sectional study assessed naloxone awareness, acquisition rates, and reasons for acquisition among postsecondary students in Canada aged 17‒25 years.

Methods: Using data from the 2021‒2022 Canadian Postsecondary Education Alcohol and Drug Use Survey, we conducted descriptive analyses of 31,643 students to characterize naloxone awareness, acquisition, and reasons for acquisition overall and by age, gender, race, international student status, and opioid pain reliever (OPR) use. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed the relationship between demographic variables and naloxone awareness and acquisition.

Results: Among postsecondary students in Canada, only 47% had heard of naloxone, and only 5% had acquired it in the past year. Significant predictors of naloxone awareness and acquisition included gender, age, race, international student status, and OPR use. Older students, non-binary students, domestic students, and Indigenous students had higher odds of both naloxone awareness and acquisition. Students who had used OPRs in the past year were less likely to be aware of naloxone (AOR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80-0.91). However, among those who were aware, they were more likely to have acquired naloxone (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01-1.34) than those who had not used OPRs. Among students who had acquired naloxone in the past year, 97% reported their main reason for obtaining it was for use in emergencies involving other people.

Conclusion: Low naloxone awareness and acquisition among postsecondary students in Canada represent an important public health gap. Increasing naloxone awareness and acquisition may play an important role in enhancing safety on campuses and beyond.