Working Together to Reduce Opioid Overdose and Drug-Related Deaths

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical center has partnered with Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with naloxone) to provide training and free naloxone kits at our hospital pharmacy locations. A prescription is not necessary to receive training or to pick up the medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

Across Ohio and the country, fentanyl, a very potent opioid, is more commonly being found in other substances, making naloxone a critical tool to have on hand. Fentanyl is responsible for the highest percentage of fatal overdoses in our community. Coroner reports have found fentanyl mixed into non-opioid illicit drugs such as stimulants, pills, and marijuana.

View report (PDF)

Who should pick up a kit?

Anyone can pick up a kit and get trained. Whether you are caring for someone that uses opioids to manage pain, know someone with an opioid addiction, someone who uses other substances, having naloxone can help save a life.

What training will I receive?

When you stop at the pharmacy, the pharmacist will have you fill out a form, provide written training instructions and the medication kit. 

You will be trained on: 

  • Recognizing the signs and symptoms of overdose
  • Performing rescue breathing
  • Calling 911
  • Administering intranasal naloxone

Where can I pick up free naloxone without a prescription?

Pharmacy at Doan Hall

410 W. 10th Ave. Rm 111
Columbus, OH 43210
614-293-9797

Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Saturday, Sunday and Ohio State University Holidays

Pharmacy at East Hospital

181 Taylor Ave. (Ground Level)
Columbus, OH 43203
614-257-2628

Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Closed Saturday, Sunday and Ohio State University Holidays

Pharmacy at The James

460 W. 10th Ave., L012 (Lower Level)
Columbus, OH 43210
614-293-5920

Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ohio State University Holidays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Student Health Services Pharmacy

Wilce Student Health Center
1875 Millikin Road
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-4321

More information

By Mail

The following are options for individuals to receive naloxone for free in the mail, no insurance required. 

What is naloxone?

Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain medications). When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing. Naloxone has been used safely by emergency medical professionals for more than 40 years and has only one critical function: to reverse the effects of opioids in order to prevent overdose death. Naloxone has no potential for abuse.

If naloxone is given to a person who is not experiencing an opioid overdose, it is harmless. If naloxone is administered to a person who is dependent on opioids, it will produce withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal, although uncomfortable, is not life-threatening.

Additional Resources

Additional Resources for Wexner Medical Center Providers

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