Department of Healthcare Administration
Overdose & Suicide Prevention Services Grant
The Department of Healthcare Administration earned a three-year Higher Education Prevention Services Grant from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in 2022 to promote opioid, stimulant and suicide prevention awareness.
OVERDOSE PREVENTION
Narcan and fentanyl test strips are available free of charge to LU students, faculty, community members and visitors. There are also free lock boxes/bags available for LU students who would like a secure way to safely store any medicines they have been prescribed.
To receive the Narcan, fentanyl test strips or lock boxes/bags, look for the Department of Healthcare Administration during campus tabling events or contact Dr. Sandra Brown at sandra.brown10@langston.edu.
Narcan is a nalaxone nasal spray that has been approved as an over-the-counter opioid overdose reversal agent. According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, fatal overdose is the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. under 50 years old. Many of these overdose deaths are opioid-related, including from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
“Everyone should carry Narcan in case you encounter someone experiencing an overdose,” said Dr. Brown, the principal investigator for the grant. “For anyone using a drug not prescribed to them, they should always test the drug for fentanyl. It only takes a small amount of fentanyl to cause an overdose.”
SUICIDE PREVENTION
988 is Oklahoma’s Mental Health Lifeline. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please dial 9-8-8. All calls are confidential.
If you are a student who struggles with your mental health, LU provides licensed mental health professionals to assist students with a variety of mental health services. Learn more about Langston University’s Counseling and Health Services at the link below.