SAVE A LIFE: STOP OPIOID OVERDOSES
UGA's Naloxone Emergency ONEbox Distribution Program
The Georgia Department of Public Health (2022) has reported an increase in accidental opioid overdoses across the state of Georgia as a result of substances being contaminated with fentanyl.
No different than AED/CPR first aid boxes that are placed strategically across campus, ONEbox units will also be available in case of an overdose situation. This program is a collaborative effort between The Fontaine Center, University Health Center Pharmacy, and other Student Affairs offices. Members of the UGA community can find a ONEBox which contains Naloxone as well as video instructions on how to administer it included within the boxes.
UGA’s naloxone distribution program is being supported by The Fontaine Center. ONEbox technology was developed by the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (2022) has reported an increase in accidental opioid overdoses across the state of Georgia as a result of substances being contaminated with fentanyl.
No different than AED/CPR first aid boxes that are placed strategically across campus, ONEbox units will also be available in case of an overdose situation. This program is a collaborative effort between The Fontaine Center, University Health Center Pharmacy, and other Student Affairs offices. Members of the UGA community can find a ONEBox which contains Naloxone as well as video instructions on how to administer it included within the boxes.
UGA’s naloxone distribution program is being supported by The Fontaine Center. ONEbox technology was developed by the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute.
Saving a life is the number one priority during an overdose.
While the majority of the UGA community does not consume alcohol or other recreational substances, opioid overdoses can occur under a number of different circumstances.
While the majority of the UGA community does not consume alcohol or other recreational substances, opioid overdoses can occur under a number of different circumstances.
Fentanyl: What members of the UGA community need to know
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is more than 50 times stronger than heroin or morphine.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is more than 50 times stronger than heroin or morphine.
Why is fentanyl dangerous?
Fentanyl is commonly mixed into other substances without knowledge of the person consuming it, leading to accidental overdoses or deaths.
Fentanyl is commonly mixed into other substances without knowledge of the person consuming it, leading to accidental overdoses or deaths.
While fentanyl can be added to any substance, it is commonly found in:
- Capsules or tablets (like counterfeit pills that resemble Adderall, Vyvanse, or Xanax)
- Powders (like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines)
- And many more...
Assume that any pill or drug not purchased directly from a pharmacy could contain fentanyl.
Xylazine
There have been an increase in xylazine overdoses, which is not an opioid, for more information about xylazine click here.
There have been an increase in xylazine overdoses, which is not an opioid, for more information about xylazine click here.
CALL 911
Get help immediately
ADMINISTER NALOXONE
According to kit instructions
STAY
Stay with the person until help arrives
Medical Amnesty & Responsible Action Protocol
Georgia State Medical Amnesty states that the personal calling for medical attention and the person experiencing the medical emergency due to alcohol or drug related overdoses will not be charged. They must stay at the scene of the emergency until help arrives.
For more information, visit legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20132014/144369
The UGA Responsible Action Protocol applies to students who seek assistance or medical treatment for another student experiencing or believed to be experiencing an alcohol or drug related overdose. The protocol also applies to students who are experiencing an alcohol or drug related overdose and seek assistance or medical treatment on their own behalf or are the subject of such a request.
For more information, visit https://conduct.uga.edu/responsible-action-protocol/
Georgia State Medical Amnesty states that the personal calling for medical attention and the person experiencing the medical emergency due to alcohol or drug related overdoses will not be charged. They must stay at the scene of the emergency until help arrives.
For more information, visit legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20132014/144369
The UGA Responsible Action Protocol applies to students who seek assistance or medical treatment for another student experiencing or believed to be experiencing an alcohol or drug related overdose. The protocol also applies to students who are experiencing an alcohol or drug related overdose and seek assistance or medical treatment on their own behalf or are the subject of such a request.
For more information, visit https://conduct.uga.edu/responsible-action-protocol/
When the person wakes up, they may have opioid withdrawal symptoms such as chills, nausea, and muscle aches. They may not remember what happened and may be scared, nervous, combative, restless or have difficulty hearing. Give them space and reassure them until help arrives.
What to say when they wake up
- Welcome Back.
- My name is ----------- and I just had to give you Naloxone.
- I am sorry you don't feel so good.
- You are safe.
- I've got you.
- I'm glad you are alive.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are highly addictive substances that are primarily used medically for short-term pain relief.
Opioids are highly addictive substances that are primarily used medically for short-term pain relief.
Naloxone
The agent that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Commonly seen in the nasal spray form.
The agent that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Commonly seen in the nasal spray form.
Education and Programming
The Fontaine Center Naloxone training presentation can be found here.
To request an in-person training or substance use prevention program, please fill out this form.
If you have any additional questions or would like to speak to a trained team member, please call the Fontaine Center at 706-542-8690.
For additional training and information approved through the Georgia Department of Public Health, please see the following materials:
The Fontaine Center Naloxone training presentation can be found here.
To request an in-person training or substance use prevention program, please fill out this form.
If you have any additional questions or would like to speak to a trained team member, please call the Fontaine Center at 706-542-8690.
For additional training and information approved through the Georgia Department of Public Health, please see the following materials:
- How to Administer Narcan: https://vimeo.com/151191919
ADAPT Pharma, Inc. - GBI Naloxone Training PowerPoint: https://dph.georgia.gov/document/document/gbi-naloxone-training/download
Education and Programming
The Fontaine Center Naloxone training presentation can be found here.
To request an in-person training or substance use prevention program, please fill out this form.
If you have any additional questions or would like to speak to a trained team member, please call the Fontaine Center at 706-542-8690.
For additional training and information approved through the Georgia Department of Public Health, please see the following materials:
The Fontaine Center Naloxone training presentation can be found here.
To request an in-person training or substance use prevention program, please fill out this form.
If you have any additional questions or would like to speak to a trained team member, please call the Fontaine Center at 706-542-8690.
For additional training and information approved through the Georgia Department of Public Health, please see the following materials:
- How to Administer Naloxone: https://vimeo.com/151191919
ADAPT Pharma, Inc. - GBI Naloxone Training PowerPoint: https://dph.georgia.gov/document/document/gbi-naloxone-training/download
References
Drug Enforcement Agency. (2020, April). Facts about fentanyl. Retrieved from: www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
Georgia Department of Public Health. (March 31, 2022). DPH news release – Fentanyl overdose increases. Retrieved from: dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2022-03-31/dph-news-release-fentanyl-overdose-increases
Drug Enforcement Agency. (2020, April). Facts about fentanyl. Retrieved from: www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
Georgia Department of Public Health. (March 31, 2022). DPH news release – Fentanyl overdose increases. Retrieved from: dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2022-03-31/dph-news-release-fentanyl-overdose-increases
FAQ
- Remember assume that any pill or drug not purchased directly from a pharmacy could contain fentanyl, xylazine, or other adulterated substances
- Due to low quality control during the manufacturing of substances, it is difficult to know what is in the substance and how it is distributed within the pill or powder. The most accurate way to use fentanyl test strips requires that all the drugs someone plans to consume are dissolved in water. Testing only a small sample of the substance may not produce accurate results.
- While fentanyl testing strips can be helpful if there is a positive test result (indicating the entire batch needs to be thrown out), negative test results can get a little more complicated.
- Negative test results are not a reliable way to indicate that the substance is safe. There may be a false negative because the strip can only detect negative results on the portion of the pill or powder which was dissolved and tested. Therefore, someone could test one part of the pill and get a negative result, however the other part of the pill could contain fentanyl.
**While fentanyl is a commonly seen contaminant, there are other products and drugs that may not be detectable through fentanyl testing strips (i.e., xylazine) and have adverse effects.
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/basas/fentanyl-test-strips-brochure.pdf
- Departments, student groups or UGA organizations requesting access a OneBox can email Liz Prince at lprince@uhs.uga.edu.
- University Health Center Pharmacy: Students can access naloxone/Narcan through the University Health Center’s pharmacy. For more information about insurance and individual costs please contact UHC Pharmacy at 706-542-9979.