COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Public Health issued an alert on Thursday about fake Adderall pills containing fentanyl in the Ohio State University campus area.
The alert comes on the same day that the university announced one of the three students who reportedly overdosed on Wednesday died. The university has not confirmed the student died as a result of taking a fake Adderall pill.
A safety message was sent to students by the university about CPH's alert. While the university discourages any kind of drug misuse, students should be aware of unexpected contaminates or how drugs may unsafely interact with alcohol.
Students can confidentially pick up a free Naloxone kit or fentanyl test strips for free at the Wilce Student Health Center at 1875 Millikin Road during regular business hours.
The university warns against students buying or using prescription drugs that they did not receive from a qualified pharmacy.
Students can also use these tips from the university to help keep themselves safe:
- Don’t drink alcohol or use drugs alone.
- Don’t take alcohol or drugs from someone you don’t know.
- Stick together with friends and never walk alone.
- Pace yourself, drink plenty of water and eat food throughout the night if you are drinking alcohol
- Make a plan to get home safely
- Do not drink alcohol if you are not 21
- If anyone appears to be in distress in any way, call 9-1-1 immediately and don’t worry about getting in trouble. The university’s Student Code of Conduct includes an amnesty clause that is designed to encourage students to call for help when they, or anyone else, needs it.
- Students in need of emotional support are encouraged to reach out to Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service.
To read more from the university's safety message, click here.
Adderall is a stimulant drug that is prescribed to treat patients who experience attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,, a condition that makes it difficult to concentrate.
Adderall can be habit-forming, prompting the person taking it to feel the need to consume a larger dosage. This can lead to potential risk for overdose.
Adderall’s reported ability to help students stay focused and alert has made it one of the most popular drugs used today on college campuses.
For more information about Adderall and it's connection to students, click here.