CHSU-COM Overdose Prevention Task Force Arms Fresno State University Staff to Combat the Opioid Crisis  

Pictured left to right: Dr. Francisco Ibarra, Aicha Naouai, Mariya Leshchuk, Andrew Insco, Stephanie Garcia

Written by Mariya Leshchuk, CHSU-COM Medical Student

On September 9, 2024, the Overdose Prevention Task Force (OPTF) delivered its first-ever presentation at the Fresno State campus aimed at equipping staff to become more familiar with identifying and managing an opioid overdose.

Aicha Naouai, CHSU-COM Class of 2027 medical student and OPTF Chair, first provided an overview of the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the first and only medical school in the Central Valley. She highlighted the significant physician shortage in the Central Valley and core principles of Osteopathic Medicine that CHSU upholds.

Then Mariya Leshchuk, CHSU-COM Class of 2027 medical student and OPTF Internal Events Coordinator Subchair, led an educational workshop on the pharmacology of opioids and naloxone, signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone, and caring for a patient post-naloxone administration.

Following this didactic segment, attendees applied their newfound knowledge on a manikin in a simulated case under the direct observation of student doctor Leshchuk.

To close out the session, Andrew Insco, CHSU-COM Class of 2027 medical student and OPTF Community Outreach Subchair, demonstrated how to use Dosetest fentanyl test strips prior to providing attendees with test strips for them to practice with (NOTE: real drug samples were not used during the demonstration). Student doctor Insco additionally highlighted limitations of the test strips and notified attendees where they can find additional information on the test strips.

Stephanie Garcia, Substance Use-Sexually Transmitted Disease Navigator at Community Regional Medical Center, was also present during the event to discuss her role as a navigator and naloxone distributor project manager, in addition to sharing personal experiences of assisting patients enroll in substance use disorder treatment programs.

The presentation was supplemented by attendees sharing their experiences with suffering from opioid use disorder, fears of students experiencing an opioid overdose, and ideas for making naloxone and fentanyl test strips more accessible. Under the guidance of OPTF’s Faculty Advisor, Francisco Ibarra, PharmD, BCCCP, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biomedical Education at CHSU-COM, OPTF is continuing its initiative to battle the opioid crisis in the Central Valley.