A program exploring the growing problem of overdose deaths, addiction and the intersection with mental health will be held at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 7.

“This information is more important than ever,” said UWO Police Chief Kurt Leibold. “Substance abuse rose sharply during the pandemic, with more people isolated for long periods of time. There also is a growing problem of common drugs, such as marijuana, being laced with the dangerous and often lethal fentanyl.”

The program will give people a chance to hear firsthand from two women who lost their college-age sons to overdoses caused by these “counterfeit” pills and from people who are in recovery. Participants also will learn how to administer Narcan/naloxone.

Anyone interested in attending must register by Wednesday, April 6. Contact the UWO police department at (920) 424-1212 or uwopolice@uwosh.edu for a registration link. The training will be offered in person in Room 202 at Reeve Union on the Oshkosh campus. A Zoom link will be provided to those who register but prefer to attend virtually.

UW Oshkosh was the first public university in Wisconsin to install naloxone rescue boxes. These kits, much like AEDs and Stop the Bleed kits, are a proactive measure to be used, if needed, to save a life.

The program is sponsored by the UW Oshkosh police department, Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office and the Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review.