Did you know? On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Drugs in this category include the prescription medications oxycodone, percocet, vicodin, morphine, fentanyl, among others, as well as heroin.
In addition to the direct effects of each substance, drugs shared for recreational use can be tainted or mixed with other substances to increase its effects, sometimes without a user’s knowledge. This “third wave” of opioids is rising and is linked to overdose and deaths.
- Treatment is effective and available for addiction and substance use disorders. Talk to your medical or mental health care provider to discuss a treatment plan.
- Naloxone (nasal spray Narcan) can reverse the effects of an accidental overdose. Any physician in California can prescribe it to anyone at risk of overdose. Naloxone is also available by pharmacist consultation and can be filled at USC Pharmacies on campus. Narcan is a covered benefit in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan administered through Aetna.
Contact USC Student Health at 213-740-9355 (WELL) for medical care, prescriptions and to reach a counselor. If you are concerned about a fellow student, please contact Trojans Care for Trojans so we may reach out directly with support and intervention. Emergency response to drug overdose can by activated by calling the USC Department of Public Safety (213-740-4321 at UPC, 323-442-1000 at HSC) or by calling 911 if outside of USC campus areas.
Get involved, learn more about opioid overdose intervention that may help save a life, contact studenthealth@usc.edu to learn more about trainings.
