Supportive harm reduction efforts can counteract the adverse effects of drug and alcohol use by equipping people with lifesaving tools and information. Brown has harm reduction resources — such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and the opioid overdose reversal drug, Naloxone — located throughout campus, and provides regular opportunities for students, faculty and staff to learn about overdose prevention and lifesaving care.
Division of Campus Life
Campus Safety and Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is a public health strategy grounded in justice and human rights to decrease the adverse effects of drug and alcohol consumption. It encourages positive change and working with individuals without bias, coercion, or discrimination. While some substance users may not require or want treatment, it is beneficial to be aware of resources that can help them decrease the harm caused by drug use.
Lifesaving Resources on Campus
The AdvanceBox delivers simple, lifesaving tools for time-critical emergencies, technology to assure they are discoverable and ready, and just-in-time rescue guidance so that staff and bystanders can effectively intervene in advance of the ambulance. Each AdvanceBox includes an AED, Naloxone (Narcan) and bleeding control supplies.
The AdvanceBox is a novel product developed by Dr. Leo Kobayashi, Brown Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) alumnus and emergency medicine physician at Rhode Island Hospital, and Dr. Geoff Capraro, emergency medicine physician at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
Everyone has a role in creating a healthier campus, and anyone can help save a life!
Brown University offers 55 AED devices and 10 AdvanceBoxes (containing an AED, Naloxone/Narcan and bleeding control supplies) located in high-risk locations around campus. Anyone in the Brown or Providence community can access this lifesaving equipment, not just trained individuals or healthcare professionals (although training is encouraged).
View geo-locations, photos and helpful information about lifesaving supplies and equipment on Brown’s campus:
CPR and First Aid Training
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid are methods of providing care to people experiencing a health crisis, including those undergoing the effects of an overdose. BEMS has a strong network of certified instructors who teach CPR and First Aid courses for departments and individuals and provide no-cost workshops to groups who want to learn hands-only CPR and AED awareness.
Overdose Education and Prevention
BWell Health Promotion offers in-person overdose education and prevention training to educate participants about the opioid crisis, how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, and how to administer Naloxone (Narcan). Participants receive a harm reduction kit that includes naloxone and fentanyl test strips.
These trainings are offered monthly during the academic year for Brown faculty, staff and students; they are announced on Today@Brown and on BWell’s social media.
Additional Resources
Explore Brown's network of resources for promoting health and reducing harm.
Get help and find essential information in an emergency.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a range of mental health treatment and prevention services for Brown students in an inclusive, compassionate, affirming and socially just environment.
Contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in case of an emergency, overdose or safety concern. DPS responds to calls from blue-light safety phones located around campus and collaborates with the “Yellow Jacket” security members on campus.
The Donovan Program for Recovery and Substance-Free Student Initiatives endeavors to support students who are in recovery or who are substance-free for any reason through anti-stigma advocacy, inclusive programming, and holistic support structures.
As a student at Brown, your life extends beyond the classroom. Learning to make healthy decisions, including whether or not to use substances like alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and marijuana, is just one of the challenges you may face.
This interdisciplinary reading group meets monthly to discuss a recent journal article related to recovery science or harm reduction. It is a collaboration between the Brown School of Public Health and RI Cares and is supported by the New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center.