This campaign aims to provide University of Miami students with information about the dangers of fentanyl-laced drugs, actionable harm reduction tips, and support from their peers and University of Miami staff. At the Sandler Center, we believe that offering students the information and resources they need to make safe decisions can save lives.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that drug traffickers mix into their product to make it last longer so they can make a greater profit. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than drugs like heroin and morphine and cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste. Even just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal.
Increasingly, fentanyl is being found in other commonly used drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription medications, such as Xanax and Adderall. This can be extremely dangerous, as people will unknowingly consume fentanyl, which can lead to accidental overdoses or death.
Naloxone (AKA Narcan) is a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, including those caused by fentanyl.
The Sandler Center will be hosting Narcan trainings throughout the year, in collaboration with URecovery, Student Health, and F Fentanyl. All attendees will receive Narcan upon completion of the training. The trainings are open to all students, faculty, and staff.
Spring 2024 Training Information
We will host trainings on the following dates:
Have someone around that is not using drugs that can call for help in an emergency situation. If that is not possible, utilize one of these free services:
The Brave App: The app helps to connect people who are using drugs with someone who can help in case things go wrong
Never use Alone Hotline (1-800-484-3731): Operators will stay on the line and notify emergency services if you become unresponsive.
See above for information on where to find Narcan and learn how to use it.
Assume that any pill that is not directly from a pharmacy could contain fentanyl. Start with a small dose to test the strength. If something feels off, consider using less or not using it anymore at all.
The only way to tell if your drugs contain fentanyl is to test your drugs. Note that testing strips cannot tell you how much fentanyl there is or how strong it is.
Mixing drugs, with alcohol as well, can increase the risk of overdose.