Indiana University health groups are reaching out to students battling addiction or that are in recovery.
OASIS, an alcohol and drug information center at IU, held a panel discussion Wednesday focusing on the drug nalaxone as well as other addiction resources the university offers to students.
Earlier this month, I U Health facilities introduced a pilot program offering nalaxone to students free of charge.
The non-profit organization Overdose Lifeline provided a grant that allowed the university to offer the overdose intervention drug. Overdose Lifeline Board Member Aaron Kochar says college can be an extremely vulnerable time for students and it can be hard for them to reach out for help .
"People are at an extraordinary, changing point in their life when they first enter college, no matter what their age is, and they're susceptible to both mental health and addiction issues," Kochar says. "And the stigma that surrounds those can prevent people from going and getting help."
Medical Director at the IU Health Center Dr. Diana Ebling is trying to remove that stigma. In addition to the naloxone, students can get both professional and peer support.
"They can go to OASIS, they can come to the health center with concerns and hopefully, they'll feel like they are met with a non-judgmental approach so they can start to get help.
IU Health currently has 20 free naloxone kits to give to students.