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Opioids

In 2021, deaths from fentanyl overdoses became the leading cause of death for 18- to 45-year-olds. Fentanyl is a highly potent (50 times more potent than heroin, 100 times more potent than morphine) synthetic opioid. It can be taken on its own or added to pills, powders, and crystals. It is often found in what is known as “counterfeit” pills or pills that look identical to prescription opioids (e.g. Oxycodone, Percocet), prescription benzodiazepine medications (e.g. Xanax, Ativan, Valium), and has been found in cocaine, as well as methamphetamine.

More information about opioids can be found at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website

Safer Campus Community

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to reducing harm and decreasing negative consequences associated with drug use. This includes meeting students where they are and providing services along a continuum, such as by providing access to naloxone and fentanyl testing strips.

To create a safer campus community, UW–Madison provides access to boxes containing naloxone in 25 locations on campus, which ensures the entire campus community has access to NARCAN® nasal spray, a lifesaving medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. 

Read more about naloxone on UW’s campus, including a list of FAQs.

Get free NARCAN® nasal spray and fentanyl test strips at these locations:

 

Public Health Madison and Dane County

  • 2705 E Washington Ave
    Madison, WI 53703
  • 2300 S Park St
    Madison, WI 53704
  • 2230 S Park St
    Madison, WI 53713

Vivent Health
600 Williamson St, Suite H
Madison, WI 53703

Community Pharmacy
130 S. Fair Oaks Avenue
Madison, WI 53704

Overdose Aid Kits (OAK) Boxes
Locations throughout Dane County

 

Signs of an opioid overdose

  • Have small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
  • Are unresponsive and cannot be woken up
  • Have slow, weak, or no breathing
  • Are making choking or gurgling sounds
  • Have a limp body
  • Have cold, clammy skin
  • Have discolored skin, lips, or nails

If you suspect an opioid overdose

  • Call 911 immediately
  • Administer Naloxone (NARCAN® nasal spray)
  • Try to keep the person awake and breathing
  • Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
  • Stay with them until emergency responders arrive

 

Lifesaving naloxone is available at 25 locations on campus.

What are opioids?

Opioids are a type of narcotic pain medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body. They reduce the sending of pain messages to the brain and reduce feelings of pain.

Opioids can be safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but they are frequently misused. Regular opioid use—even as prescribed by a doctor—can produce dependence, and when misused , opioid pain relievers can lead to fatal overdose.

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Types of opioids

Overdose and naloxone

According to the CDC, The United States is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. Opioids (including prescription opioids and heroin) killed more than 33,000 people in 2015. In Wisconsin, more residents died from a drug overdose than from motor vehicle accidents, suicide, or firearms. Eighty percent of all opioid overdoses are unintentional, and 85 percent of all drug overdoses are witnessed.

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What is naloxone?

Naloxone, sold under the brand NARCAN® among others, is a medication used to block the effects of opioids, especially in case of overdose. Naloxone can be administered via intranasal spray (into the nose), intramuscular (into the muscle), or intravenous injection.

Who can use naloxone?

Anyone. Naloxone is available to the public.

Why use naloxone? 

Eighty-five percent of drug overdoses are witnessed. Naloxone can save a life by stopping a drug overdose.

Where can you get naloxone?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison provides free access to naloxone nasal spray in 25 locations on campus. Learn more about this initiative.

Naloxone is also provided free of charge at the following locations: 

Public Health Madison and Dane County

  • 2705 E Washington Ave
    Madison, WI 53703
  • 2300 S Park St
    Madison, WI 53704
  • 2230 S Park St
    Madison, WI 53713

Vivent Health
600 Williamson St, Suite H
Madison, WI 53703

Community Pharmacy
130 S. Fair Oaks Avenue
Madison, WI 53704

Overdose Aid Kits (OAK) Boxes
Locations throughout Dane County

In the case of an emergency call 911. First responders in Madison carry naloxone.