By: Ashantey Allison and Catherine Spicer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) —

Concerns about kratom use among college students have risen following the deaths of two University of Mississippi students. Kratom products were found at both scenes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Kratom is an addictive herbal extract that some people take to ease the symptoms of quitting opioids, though it carries its own risk of addiction.

Arkansas Department of Health Vital Statistics show there were 372 drug overdose deaths in Arkansas in 2025, a decrease from 389 in 2024.

Checkpoint Initiative is an organization that is working to make life-saving resources more accessible in the event of an overdose, as well as educating people on how to handle emergency overdose situations in Northwest Arkansas communities.

The organization has over 30 access points where people can find naloxone, a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose while someone waits for emergency care. 

According to their website, the organization has been able to distribute over 3,000 doses of naloxone, over 1,000 outreach and restocking efforts, and has reported over 50 overdose reversals.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about Narcan and naloxone is that it’s only for addicts or kind of these extreme cases that we might think of and that is just not the case,” Isis Gerschultz, director of training and education support for Checkpoint Initiative, said. 

Checkpoint Initiative also provides training to fraternities, sororities, first responders and other organizations. Students can also find an opioid overdose kit in different locations across the U of A campus.

The organization says students may encounter substances with opioids unknowingly, which is why education is a major part of their work. The initiative encourages students to know the signs of an overdose and know where to find help.  

Training is currently available to organizations looking to learn more about overdose prevention and naloxone.