Opioid Crisis Memorial Makes Stop at William Pitt Union

Each year, 22,000 people die from prescription opioid overdoses. Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation for the number of opioid overdose deaths and third for all drug overdose deaths.

“Prescribed to Death,” a traveling memorial exhibit, puts a face to each one of these victims. The memorial includes a wall of 22,000 white pills, each carved with the face of an individual who passed away from a drug overdose. Additionally, the memorial features personal effects from families who lost loved ones to overdose and a place where visitors can add the names of loved ones who have died. Also, at the exhibit will be pill-return envelopes to safely dispose of unused medications.

Visit the memorial in the William Pitt Union Lower Lounge to see, feel and experience the depth of the opioid crisis. The memorial is free and open to the public and hosted by the National Safety Council.

Dates and times:

Tuesday, Jan. 30-Thursday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

More information about “Prescribed to Death” is available online.

Spring Safety Fair Takes Place Jan. 30

Pitt’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management and Student Government Board will be hosting a Safety Fair on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room.

The event is open to the entire campus community, and students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Various departments from the campus community and beyond campus — including Pitt Police; Environmental Health and Safety; Integrated Security; Parking, Transportation and Services; Computing Services and Systems Development; Pitt Study Abroad; Title IX Office; Emergency Management; National Weather Service and others — will address different aspects of safety at Pitt in fun and informative ways. Free food will be provided.