There has been an alarming increase in drug overdose deaths in Milwaukee in recent days.
Earlier this week, health and safety officials warned the public of a batch of street drugs laced with fentanyl. Since Saturday, 18 people have died of suspected drug overdoses.
Your safety is our highest priority. That’s why UWM is reminding students, faculty and staff about help available for anyone who needs it on all three campuses.
One pill can kill. Deadly illegal synthetic drugs are being mixed into pills, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and other drugs. Even people who have used drugs in the past or overdosed in the past are still at risk of overdose death. It’s OK to ask for help at any time.
Help is available if a student, their friend or a community member needs it. You can find drug misuse resources online.
If you need help and are trying to figure out what to do, call 911 or UWM police at 414-229-9911. Students who call for help, stay and cooperate will not face disciplinary action or UWM Police citations.
You can also talk to UWM police anonymously 24/7 on the RAVE Guardian app. Download it here. Watch a video about how it works.
We all play a part in stopping overdose deaths. UWM has resources for students, faculty, staff and community members throughout the university. Students are encouraged to reach out to the Dean of Students Office for support and any concerns.
Read more to learn about Narcan, how to access fentanyl test strips and other important information.
Learn More
Stop an overdose. UWM has installed life-saving Narcan boxes across all three campuses, including in each residence hall lobby. Narcan is an easy-to-use and safe naloxone nasal spray that can temporarily reverse the potentially life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose. You can find a map of those boxes here.
- Each box contains 2 doses of Narcan nasal spray, instructions for use, a mask for rescue breathing and a list of substance misuse treatment resources.
- The rescue spray is available for anyone at any time who might need, or think they’ll need, Narcan for themselves or someone else — no questions asked.
- Narcan is also available for free at any Milwaukee Fire Department station or firetruck, and other locations in Milwaukee County. Narcan is widely available for purchase without a prescription at local pharmacies and statewide.
Know the signs of an overdose and call for help if you see any of these signs in someone:
- Unresponsive; can’t be awakened
- Breathing is slow, weak or absent
- Choking or snore-like gurgling sounds
- Skin is cool and clammy, or hot and dry
- Bluish-purple lips or nails
- Pale or ashen skin
- Small, “pinpoint” pupils
What to do if you see or suspect an opioid overdose:
- Call 911 or, if on campus, 414-229-9911.
- Administer Narcan, if available. Try to keep the person awake and breathing. If they are breathing, lay them on their side in the recovery position.
- If they don’t respond to Narcan within 3 minutes, give another dose.
- Stay with them until emergency responders arrive.
Take Action
UWM strongly encourages everyone to learn about drug misuse and overdose dangers. Here are just some of the many resources available to the community.
- Find out more at the Union: Look for the Student Health and Wellness Center, Milwaukee Health Department and Medical College of Wisconsin in the Student Union Atrium from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. Learn more about opioids and what to do in an emergency. Receive free Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips.
- Get training: Students, faculty and staff can request a brief training session on Narcan from the UWM Police Department or the Student Health and Wellness Center.
- Narcan FAQ: Find many answers to questions about Narcan in this FAQ on Narcan at UWM.
