A Program Evaluation of Peer-To-Peer Naloxone Training: Effects on Substance Use Disorder Stigma and Knowledge Among University Students

Background Limited research has evaluated naloxone training effectiveness and attitudes toward opioid use disorder (OUD) among college populations. Stigma remains a significant barrier to prevention and response.Purpose This study assessed the impact of a peer-to-peer student-led opioid overdose response training delivered by pharmacy students on OUD-related stigma and knowledge of naloxone administration and overdose response, including retention over time.Methods A pre-, post-, and 30-day follow-up survey design was used in a college population. Stigma was measured using the Social Distance Scale, and knowledge via questionnaire. Participation in the study was voluntary and not required to receive training. Of 272 baseline participants, 95 completed all time points. Results: Among completers (n = 95), stigma decreased significantly (mean SDS −2.64, p < .001). Knowledge improved by 22% from pre- to post-training (p < .001), with gains sustained at 30 days.Discussion Peer-to-peer training reduced stigma and improved sustained overdose response knowledge, demonstrating the effectiveness of student-led interventions.Translation to Health Education and Practice Peer-delivered naloxone training is a scalable, low-resource strategy to enhance overdose preparedness and reduce stigma in college settings, supporting campus harm reduction efforts.