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.
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
By Mail
The following are options for individuals to receive naloxone for free in the mail, no insurance required.
Franklin County residents:
Other Ohio residents:
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
Map of Project DAWN sites and naloxone access locations
Project DAWN brochure (English)
Project DAWN brochure (Spanish)
Project DAWN training video
Giving naloxone nasal spray for opioid overdose
Additional Resources for Wexner Medical Center Providers
Outpatient Naloxone Information (OneSource)
NaloxBox Press Event Materials 12.9.21 (adamhfranklin.org)