Overdose deaths are on the rise in the United States, and Nashville is not immune to this alarming trend. The rise in overdose deaths is driven by fentanyl, a powerful opioid sometimes added to street drugs including pills from non-medical sources (like Adderall, Percocet, Oxycodone, or Xanax obtained without a prescription), cocaine, and methamphetamine. Risk of overdose also increases when opiates are combined with other drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other sedatives. Even non-habitual, first-time users are at risk of overdose, as very small amounts of fentanyl can cause death. Providers at the Student Health Center are committed to helping students struggling with drug use, and for those at risk, reducing the risk of overdose. Services include:
- Referrals for substance use disorder treatment
- Prescriptions for Naloxone (a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose) for those at risk for overdose, as required by Tennessee law
- Dispensing of fentanyl test strips which can identify the presence of fentanyl in unregulated drugs
For more information on additional Vanderbilt resources, visit Vanderbilt Recovery Support.