Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications, when given in time.
Naloxone is easy to carry and to use. There are two types of naloxone — nasal spray and injectable — that anyone can give without medical training or authorization.
Naloxone trainings
WELLWVU offers in-person and virtual naloxone training sessions through the semester. Attendees learn how to identify the signs of an opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone and other important information that can help save a life.
Each participant is eligible to receive a naloxone kit containing the nasal spray variety following the training, depending on available supplies.
A virtual naloxone training session will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 18.
Watch MOUNTAINEER E-News for information about upcoming in-person naloxone training sessions.
Representatives with WELLWVU are also available to visit classrooms, campus organizations or residence halls for training.
Submit a program request form.
For questions or to request a naloxone kit as available supplies allow, contact Wes Thomas at wthomas2@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-3573.
Overdose rescue kit availability
To date, the WVU Collegiate Recovery Program has installed 19 opioid overdose reversal and rescue kits across campus. These kits, from a brand called ONEbox, contain two doses of naloxone and training materials instructing individuals how to administer the drug.
“Expanding access and awareness of naloxone across campus is critical,” Olivia Pape, director of WVU Collegiate Recovery, said.
“Through the installation and distribution of these kits, we are working to educate students, faculty and staff, and reduce the stigma on campus. By making naloxone more readily available, WVU is showing a commitment to support the recovery of our students. Addiction is a disease, not a choice or moral failing.”
Multiple campus partners have made naloxone kits available in their facilities, including Housing and Residence Life, the Mountainlair and WVU Libraries. Workers with Facilities Management assisted in the placement of the kits.
The kits were made possible through funding from the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and WVU Collegiate Recovery Program.
Meanwhile, the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network and the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute have launched a new overdose prevention and education initiative on college and university campuses throughout the Mountain State.
Called “Be the One”, the first-of-its-kind initiative includes addressing opioid overdose prevention from a bystander’s perspective, encouraging students, faculty and staff to be the one to save a life.
Community distribution
Naloxone is also available through the Monongalia County Health Department and Milan Puskar Health Right.
The Monongalia County Health Department is located at 453 Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown, and can be reached by phone at 304-598-5100.
Milan Puskar Health Right is located at 341 Spruce Street, Morgantown, and can be reached by phone at 304-292-8234.