"Overdose is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the US. Opioids play a significant role in those deaths. Our goal of distributing Naloxone is to save lives through increased awareness, recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose and providing access to the opioid reversal drug Naloxone." - Kathy Myles, Director of the CSU Health and Wellness Center

Did you know that in 2020, 5,017 Ohioans died from unintentional drug overdoses, which was a 25% increase over 2019*? Opioids were involved in 4,041 unintentional drug overdose deaths in Ohio in 2020. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses but it is so safe that it will not cause harm or exacerbate other medical conditions

Cleveland State University is joining a growing list of Ohio colleges and universities as well as institutions of higher learning across the country, that are making Naloxone (commonly referred to as Narcan) — an opioid reversal drug — available on campus to help prevent overdose deaths. Provided by the state of Ohio and Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) at MetroHealth Hospital, Naloxone is available in 11 Nalox boxes across campus.

Each Nalox Box includes Narcan nasal spray and simple instructions on how to use the medication.

The installation of the boxes is a proactive measure to address opioid use and reduce the risk of opioid overdose which is a growing public health concern for college-age adults, especially as more young people are unknowingly taking drugs laced with fentanyl.

Naloxone can save lives and are available for students, faculty, staff, or campus visitors to use as needed.

If you have any questions about Narcan training, Nalox boxes, support systems on campus and substance use prevention and education, please contact Denise Keary, Wellness and Prevention Program Coordinator d.keary@csuohio.edu.

For counseling support, please contact the CSU Counseling Center at 216-687-2277 (24-hour line).  Staff and faculty can contact IMPACT Employee Assistance program 24/7 at 800-227-6007.