LA CROSSE, Wis. — Another University of Wisconsin system campus has installed boxes containing Narcan in some buildings, a device that can help prevent overdose deaths. 

What You Need To Know

  • UW-La Crosse has installed Nalox-ZONE boxes in 10 residence halls near the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

  • Each box holds two Narcan nasal sprays — the device that delivers naloxone, the opioid reversal drug

  • UW-Eau Claire and UW-Milwaukee have also installed Nalox-ZONE boxes

UW-La Crosse (UWL) has installed Nalox-ZONE boxes in 10 residence halls near the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). There are also boxes in the south entrance of the REC and the lobby of the University Police Office.

Each box holds two Narcan nasal sprays — the device that delivers naloxone, the opioid reversal drug. The boxes also include masks for rescue breathing and instructions on how to use the medication.

University Police Chief Allen Hill said there isn't a prevalence of fentanyl-laced drugs on campus, but since it's a trend nationwide, the boxes were installed out of caution. 

“Currently, UWLPD officers carry Narcan, but adding these boxes on campus provides another layer of lifesaving measures we have available,” Hill said. 

The boxes were provided by Wisconsin Voices of Recovery. When a Nalox-ZONE box is opened, campus police or other emergency providers won't be alerted. Instead, the risk management, safety and sustainability department will receive a notification to resupply the boxes within 24-72 hours. 

The La Crosse campus is the latest to get the Nalox-ZONE boxes. In September, UW-Eau Claire installed 19 of them across campus, and UW-Milwaukee also installed Nalox-ZONE boxes across campus this year in all residential housing lobbies and in the lobbies of other campus buildings on UWM’s three campuses. 

The move is a part of the university's effort to make the community more aware about the dangers and increased presence of opioids. 

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