CHSU-COM OPTF Delivered Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Administration Training to class of 2028

Written by Mariya Leshchuk, CHSU-COM Class of 2027 OPTF Officer

On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Overdose Prevention Task Force (OPTF) led their annual naloxone training. This year’s curriculum was developed by OPTF’s Internal Events Subchair, Mariya Leshchuk (Class of 2027), and approved by OPTF’s Faculty Advisor, Dr. Francisco Ibarra. During the event, Class of 2027 OPTF officers Mariya Leshchuk, Brett Hughes, Aicha Naouai, Negin Fadaee, and Andrew Insco trained over 160 incoming medical students (Class of 2028) on how to administer naloxone in conjunction with providing basic life support.

For this year’s event, first-year medical students were grouped into teams of five where they learned about the pharmacology of opioids, how to recognize an opioid overdose, reviewed pharmacological and nonpharmacological management strategies, and practiced administering naloxone on manikins. Gathering in small groups led by OPTF officers and providing a hands-on exercise facilitated students’ application of their newfound knowledge. One participant described the session as “very interactive and personal,” whereas another stated the event “provided a great opportunity to ask questions and address uncertainties.”

“The scenario was very helpful in assessing what to do when encountering an overdose.”

CHSU-COM Student Doctor, Kena Patel (Class of 2028)

OPTF officers additionally covered how to address and prevent unintentional overdoses, harm reduction, and reinforced newly acquired Basic Life Support (BLS) skills relevant to overdose scenarios.

In summary, the session included interactive group activities, discussions, and hands-on practice with administering intranasal naloxone on manikins. The OPTF is a Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) committee that was established in 2019 by Resolution S19-02 “SOMA Overdose Prevention Task Force and Overdose Prevention Project” in response to the rise in preventable overdose deaths across the nation. CHSU-COM students founded their own OPTF division in 2020 and is dedicated to educating individuals on and off campus on opioid overdose prevention and treatment. Through events like these, OPTF aims to offer students valuable hands-on experience and essential training to combat the opioid crisis effectively.