Naloxone Near Me is the first website to compile sources of available no-cost and pharmacy-based naloxone in one place. Naloxone is a medication that is highly effective at reversing opioid overdoses. Individuals visiting the website can select any county in North Carolina and find sources of no-cost naloxone and whether pharmacies sell naloxone in that county. The website also includes a link to Naloxone Saves, which directs people to specific locations where they can access naloxone.

“I hope Naloxone Near Me helps counties identify where they can improve naloxone access so they can better advocate for funding to eliminate access gaps,” said Delesha Carpenter, professor and executive vice chair in Eshelman’s division of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy. “That’s the main goal with the website: to help counties identify specific ways they can improve access to naloxone.”

The school started this process in 2023 when they received funding from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health to create a novel place-based measure of naloxone availability. Researchers started with a survey of organizations who were distributing no-cost naloxone. Then, they obtained access to Medicaid and Medicare prescription claims data and conducted “secret shopper” studies of pharmacies to see if they had over-the-counter naloxone in stock.

Having naloxone can help in situations where people may witness an overdose.

“People mistakenly think they’re safe if they are using nonopioid substances, like cocaine, but opioids like fentanyl are often mixed into these drugs, so it’s important to have naloxone on hand to reverse an overdose,” said Carpenter. “It’s good to have naloxone available if you’re going to be around somebody who is using basically any kind of drug because if they do overdose and you then administer naloxone, it’s very effective at reversing overdoses and preventing death.”

Pharmacy-based distribution of naloxone has been shown to reduce overdose deaths, so it’s important that pharmacies sell naloxone, especially in areas where other opioid overdose prevention services are unavailable. In addition to selling naloxone, pharmacies can partner with community-based organizations to distribute naloxone for free.

“I think, for the state of North Carolina, this can be a trickle-down effect that can benefit everybody,” said Carpenter.

The school hopes to continue updating the website annually and is seeking funding to keep the site updated, since new sources of naloxone are coming online every month.

Over the past 37 years, Carolina students, faculty and staff have helped to save more than 120,000 lives through donations at the University’s summer and winter drives. The event is sponsored by the Employee Forum and the American Red Cross.

How to register

Walk-ups are accepted, but you can beat the crowds by reserving your donation time. There are still times available online at the American Red Cross Blood Services site (enter code UNC) or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800­-733-2767).

Perks

Holiday blood drive donors get a commemorative T-shirt. Food will also be available to donors, courtesy of local Chapel Hill vendors.

For Carolina employees, donating blood or volunteering is considered work time with supervisor approval.

Free parking will be available at the Cobb Deck with a P2P shuttle.

Make sure you’re eligible to donate

As the drive approaches, check to make sure you are eligible to give by entering the date of your last donation into this online calculator, which considers whole blood, power red and platelet donations.

For more details or information on volunteering, visit carolinablooddrive.unc.edu.

From athletics to arts and everything in between, there is something for everyone at Carolina.

Gift shops

One of the premier destinations on campus is the historic Carolina Inn. Stop by the Inn’s gift shop, which offers a range of licensed merchandise, including children’s books, tote bags and a commemorative holiday ornament that will look perfect on any holiday tree. And if someone in your life is hoping to spend a night at a luxurious hotel, a gift card to the Carolina Inn makes an ideal stocking stuffer.

The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s gift shop, Cosmic Goods, offers out-of-this-world items such as a star projector and glow-in-the-dark planets. Younger family members interested in science will enjoy the selection of science games and kits for at-home experiments.

No Carolina gift guide would be complete without Student Stores. In addition to University-licensed apparel, the on-campus and online stores carry an extensive book collection, from academic texts to popular bestsellers and classic literature.

Event tickets

Give the Tar Heel sports fans in your life the gift of game day. GoHeels.com provides a full events calendar along with ticket information. Carolina staff and employees can also use their OneCard to claim four free tickets to any Carolina home sporting event, except for football and men’s basketball games — perfect for sharing with friends and family.

If the person on your list prefers the stage, PlayMakers Repertory Company presents world-class productions throughout the year. Tickets are already on sale for the 2026 lineup, which includes “Primary Trust,” “Macbeth” and “Steel Magnolias.”

Carolina Performing Arts offers another strong selection of ticketed events for fans of music and dance. Choose from jazz performances, hip-hop showcases, interpretive dance works, opera and more — all of which make thoughtful gifts.

Memberships and season passes

Carolina also offers gifts that keep on giving the whole year with membership plans to different popular spots on campus.

Morehead Planetarium offers virtual membership packages with different price points and different features, but each tier of membership offers early-access tickets and exclusive updates on exhibits, programs, special events and more.

The North Carolina Botanical Garden offers multiple membership levels, including virtual only ($30), individual ($50), couple ($75) and household ($100). Other levels offer plant sale discounts, free seeds and even program discounts, among other perks.

For theater fans, PlayMakers also offers Flex Passes, which allow attendees to bring guests to several shows or cover the expenses for a large group going to one show. The Flex Passes also provide the chance to secure premium seating for only $45.

The Ackland Art Museum offers membership packages that are perfect for any art lover. An individual membership ($60) provides a 10% discount at the gift shop and free or reduced admission to public programs. These perks and more are included in a family membership for an additional $40.

“As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, let’s remember that Bell Hall is more than a physical space. It is a shared accomplishment, a testament to what we can achieve together,” said Dean Mary Margaret Frank ’92, ’92 (MAC) ’99 (PhD). “Steven D. Bell Hall stands as a place where ideas ignite, leaders emerge and the future of business education is boldly shaped. Together, we carry forward a legacy that will inspire generations of business leaders to lead the way.”

The new building is named in honor of Steve Bell ’67, who with his wife, Jackie Bell, pledged $26 million so UNC Kenan-Flagler could enroll more Carolina students who want to study business. He called his gift the greatest investment in real estate and in people he has ever made. In the 2026-27 academic year, the Undergraduate Business Program will reach its goal to admit 50% more Carolina students — over 500 majors per year.

“Bell Hall will be a place where ideas are tested, partnerships are built, and the next generation of global business leaders takes shape,” said Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “It is a bold investment in the shared future of our students and the people of North Carolina.”

Frank extended her gratitude to all who brought the project to fruition. “This milestone would not be possible without the generosity, vision and leadership of our donors, state partners and individual champions,” said Frank. “From the $105 million funded by the State of North Carolina to over $90 million provided by private donors, this public-private partnership exemplifies the shared commitment to empowering future generations.”

A modern space

“I got my education in a building,” said William G. Seymour ’64. “These students are going to get their education in a community; that was really inspiring and worthwhile to me.”

Bell Hall doubles the space for teaching and student life, solving a chronic space shortage and enabling UNC Kenan-Flagler to admit more students to study business.

“Learning will take on a new shape in the modern facilities designed to foster collaboration and spark creativity in spaces filled with light, connections to nature and art,” said Frank.

Bell Hall was built for “the conversations that start between classes, the brainstorming sessions that run late into the night, and the teamwork that turns ideas into real change,” said Freeda Alvarez ’26.

And it’s about possibility, she said. “The light-filled classrooms, open study spaces and shared gathering spaces remind us that learning doesn’t stop when class ends. It continues in every connection we make. This building reflects who we are as UNC Kenan-Flagler students, driven and ready to lead.”

The power of Bell Hall will be fully realized when classes start there in spring semester 2026. Faculty will teach in classrooms that invite teamwork, using technology that inspires experimentation, and students’ energy and voices will fill the building.

They will gather in the Tom Kenan Café, where a large painting donated by John Townsend ’77 ’82 (MBA) overlooks the dining area from above. They’ll head outside for a class in the wooded area and study in spaces featuring North Carolina art from The Johnson Collection. They’ll visit offices that house academic programs and centers, and meet with recruiters in newly designed career spaces.

And it’s all made possible, said Frank, by a shared belief in the transformative, positive power of business education.

Read more about Steven D. Bell Hall.

Where to eat

Tar Heel Thanksgiving 

You’re invited to a festive Thanksgiving meal at The Carolina Club. Enjoy a complimentary, traditional Thanksgiving buffet, thanks to the generosity of Carolina Club members. Limited spaces are available, so register early for the 11:00, 12:30, or 2:00 experiences.

Carolina Dining Services  

Both dining halls will be closed during the break Nov. 26-29. Chase Dining Hall will reopen for continental brunch at 11 a.m. and Top of Lenoir will reopen for dinner at 5 p.m. Nov. 30. Check the CDS website for official hours of operation.

On Nov. 26, Mad Hatter’s Cafe will be open 7 a.m.–3 p.m. and the Beach Grille will be open 8 a.m.–3 p.m. in the Brinkhous-Bullitt Building. Saladelia Cafe in Marsico Hall will be open 8 a.m.– 3 p.m. Alpaca Peruvian Chicken will also be open 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Students can add Flex to their accounts in $50 increments to order delivery to anywhere on campus from Takeout Central.

Carolina Food Pantry Network  

The Carolina Food Pantry Network is a network of campus and community food pantries that provides food at no cost to students facing food insecurity. Check out the Google Map to find a location that best suits your needs. If you are able to give, consider donating to the Pantry Bowl by Nov. 30 to support the Carolina Food Pantry Network, which funds multiple locations across campus.

What to do 

• Visit the Ackland Art Museum (for free!) and catch “Color Triumphant,” a modern art collection. Not open Thanksgiving Day.
• Get outside and get involved with Campus Recreation.
• Take a nature walk or hike. Our Healthy Heels blog outlines ways students can explore nature around UNC-Chapel Hill.
• Take advantage of Chapel Hill’s 17.6 miles of urban greenways and trails.
• Catch the Carolina women’s volleyball team in action on Nov. 29.
• Enjoy PlayMakers Repertory Company’s production “You Can’t Take it With You” over the Thanksgiving break. Student ticket pricing is available.
• Check out Heel Life for other ideas.

Getting around

On Thanksgiving Day, Chapel Hill Transit offices are closed. There will be no bus service or EZ-Rider service. On Nov. 28, all services operate on their Sunday schedule with offices closed.

Check out the Town of Chapel Hill’s holiday bus schedule to learn more.

Mental health, health care and well-being

The Heels Care Network is a resource for our community to support each other and to access the many mental health and well-being resources at UNC-Chapel Hill. Students can call CAPS at 919-966-3658 for 24/7 mental health support.

Campus Health, CAPS, Mini Clinic and Student Stores Pharmacy will hold regular hours through Nov. 26 and close Thanksgiving Day, before reopening Dec. 1 with regular hours.

When Campus Health is closed, students may access a local urgent care facility or emergency department as needed. Students may call Campus Health at 919-966-2281 to discuss non-emergent health concerns with Nurse Connect.

All confidential support and services available through Violence Prevention and Advocacy Services will remain available for students through Nov 26. Please email gvsc@unc.edu or call (919) 962-1343 to schedule a time to meet.

Give thanks

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to take a moment to reflect on the things we are grateful for. This post offers insight into the positive relationship between gratitude and well-being.

The sophomore exchange student’s data science skills were already strong, and he wanted to work on his English.

“In daily life, it is still difficult to find people to talk with,” said Kimura, a Tokyo native. “I have friends, but I can’t talk with them all the time. But here, I can focus on talking to somebody.”

Kimura was one of 20-plus attendees from throughout the University community — undergraduate and graduate students, visiting scholars, postdocs and spouses — striking up conversations with fellow Tar Heels on a mid-November Friday afternoon in the atrium of the FedEx Global Education Center.

These informal weekly meetups — there’s no attendance policy or commitment requirements — are casual in nature but serve multiple purposes.

International and American Tar Heels get to meet new people, exchange culture, practice and receive feedback on their English speaking and learn about University and community resources.

As UNC-Chapel Hill continues to set records in international-student enrollment, the program’s mission is the same as it was when it began in 2010. “We want to give people a sense of community,” said Gigi Taylor, the senior English language and coach specialist at the Writing and Learning Center.

That sense of community leads to results. Students gain confidence in their ability to speak in class and participate in other parts of campus life. Spouses learn about community resources. Participants form bonds with others, even matrimonial ones at least once.

Undergraduate exchange student Ryusei Kimura talks with Marcos Eduardo Gomes do Carmo, a visiting scholar in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’s chemistry department, at the Speaking Group’s weekly meetup on Nov. 14. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Participating in the Speaking Group “really does boost their confidence going back into their academic worlds,” Taylor said. “This is just a good thing for their social life in the community and their academic success.”

Taylor and colleague Warren Christian give the group different topics each week to guide conversations. One week was about forming deeper connections. Another focused on the U.S. government shutdown. The group also makes occasional field trips to local landmarks like the Carolina Basketball Museum, Ackland Art Museum and YoPo.

Taylor said some of the best conversations she can recall were about different marriage customs across cultures and the role of religion in different countries.

Naturally, these talks devolve into other areas of interest, like one’s academic and career plans or what sort of food they miss the most from home.

Among the group’s regular attendees are speech-language pathology graduate students from the UNC School of Medicine, there to meet people and prepare for their future careers.

“Being able to listen to different dialects, accents and things like that — it’s very critical to our work as clinicians,” first-year graduate student Stacy Thornton said. “Being able to decipher different things and train our ears a little bit.”

Gigi Taylor, the senior English language and coach specialist at the Writing and Learning Center, discusses the day’s topic at the Speaking Group’s weekly meetup on Nov. 14. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

International students also have the chance to work one-on-one with speech-language pathology graduate student Kelly Yang. She gives feedback and tips on improving their speaking skills after having a conversation and listening to them read a passage.

Some of Yang’s advice is easy to get behind. “Watch TV shows. Listen to podcasts,” she said.

Beyond the language skills, the Speaking Group delivers the universal need for connection.

For Kimura, joining the group has helped turn Chapel Hill from just a place into a home.

“I like meeting new people,” he said. “That’s very useful. Also, there are a lot of people from other countries all over the world. It helps me to understand the difference between Japan, the U.S. and other countries. It’s so interesting.”

The exchange program was funded by the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki’s public affairs grant program and organized by UNC Global Affairs.

“Carolina was the perfect fit for this exchange program,” said Timothy Rose, Carolina’s associate director for exchange and sponsored programs. “UNC and our partner, the University of Helsinki, have both the expertise in various issues pertaining to global security and the ability to provide transformative, experiential opportunities for students. This expertise fit in well with the type of programs the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki was looking to support.”

(Submitted photo)

In North Carolina, participants learned from Carolina faculty in PWAD, political science and geography; toured and met with state security experts at the North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters and State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh; visited Fort Bragg to learn about special operations, information warfare and women in the U.S. military and conducted discussions, simulations and activities.

“During the simulation, we reflected on when we first heard of Russia’s attack on Ukraine,” Kate Klinger ’26 said. “In that moment, I realized how much closer the conflict feels when Russia is your neighbor. Americans must remember our trans-Atlantic partners and the personal stories of those whom this war affects daily.”

Program events were open to the greater Carolina community and dozens of students were able to explore global security issues with their Finnish counterparts.

In May, Carolina participants visited Finland’s Ministry of Defense, Institute of International Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, as well as the International Center for Defense and Security and NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia.

The April timing of the Chapel Hill visit was intentional. Finland joined NATO on April 4, 2023, after 74 years of an official foreign policy position of neutrality. Understanding NATO — including Finland’s recent accession and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — is central to the program’s learning objectives.

During the April exchange, UNC Global Affairs and the Center for European Studies hosted a Diplomatic Discussion with Finnish Consul General Jarmo Sareva in the Nelson Mandela Auditorium.

In her remarks at the Diplomatic Discussion, Barbara Stephenson, vice provost for global affairs and chief global officer, spoke about NATO and the role the alliance has played in promoting democracy and security around the world. She emphasized the importance of the exchange program in helping tomorrow’s leaders pursue solutions to shared global challenges.

“Finland is our friend. Finland is a close partner, and as of April 4, 2023, Finland is a crucial NATO ally,” Stephenson said. “These students are discovering the importance of this bilateral relationship through a transformative experience.”

“Our veterans and military-affiliated students, faculty and staff are such an important part of the Carolina community, and I am honored to celebrate you all today,” said Linc Butler, senior associate vice chancellor for human resources and academic personnel. “We owe you our gratitude, certainly, but we also owe you a commitment to honor your sacrifice every day and to defend your efforts in support of all that we enjoy as Americans and as Tar Heels.”

The annual event is part of the University’s celebrations for National Veterans and Military Families Month, which included the opening ceremony of the rebranded Military and Veteran Student Success Center and the unveiling of Carolina football’s new “Honoring our Military” wall.

(Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Chancellor Lee H. Roberts reflected on the history and impact of veterans at the University, going back to Carolina’s founding.

“Our founder, William Richardson Davie, was a cavalry commander in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The relationship between our University and the military has been deep and strong ever since then, and we’d like to make it even stronger,” he said. “We owe our veterans a significant debt of gratitude, and we’re going to do everything we can to support them and build closer ties with the University.”

This year’s keynote speaker, Jake Norotsky, is from the Wounded Warrior Project, the nation’s leading veterans service organization. Norotsky said coming home following multiple deployments in Iraq made him “excited to be a veteran, and I’m so proud I got to serve. Thank you for all for your service.

Jake Norotsky from the Wounded Warriors Project delivers the keynote address.
(Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill)

“We now have the opportunity to serve on the front lines with you as we continue to work,” Norotsky continued. “We work to obliterate post-traumatic stress disorder, to obliterate suicide and to make our country better. To the UNC faculty, staff, my fellow veterans — this is a day of celebration and thankfulness, because we get to be a part of you.”

The message resonated with attendee Chris Genwright, divisional human resources director in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences, who served in the U.S. Air Force for five years.

“UNC does a great job of supporting veterans. It makes you feel like you did something important,” he said. “A lot of us, as veterans, we get out and so many of us will sink into the shadows. But having an event like this that honors the sacrifices you made while in the military, it really helps build up the community. Every year, I reflect on our journeys and where it took us here at Carolina and how we all started in the same place. Having that camaraderie is the most rewarding part.”

The fifth annual Pantry Bowl, held this year through Nov. 30, is a fundraiser that leverages a friendly rivalry between the two schools to see who can raise the most money to combat food insecurity on campus. Over the past four years, the schools have collectively raised more than $600,000 for NC State’s Feed the Pack Food Pantry and the Carolina Food Pantry Network, making a significant impact on the health and well-being of college students.

Meeting basic needs to support student success

Desirée Rieckenberg, Carolina’s dean of students, said a 2024 campus survey found that 31% of UNC students cut down on the size of meals or skipped meals due to resources, and about 25% had experienced hunger at some point and chosen not to eat.

Many people have no idea that students at Carolina experience food insecurity, said Rieckenberg. Many are also unaware of the various programs Carolina provides to support and care for the “whole student.” The dean of students office is the point of contact for support to successfully navigate their University experience, including food, housing and more.

“Fundamentally, we know that in order to be successful, you have to address one’s basic needs, such as food, shelter, water and clothing. These building blocks create a foundation so you can focus on bigger things,” she said. “Hunger impacts concentration, how you move through your day around campus and just about every facet of a student’s experience at Carolina. And ultimately, we are committed to making sure all students are happy, healthy and successful.”

Campus-wide support

The Carolina Food Pantry Network is a campus-wide, community approach to reducing student food insecurity. These efforts include the student-led Carolina Cupboard in the Student and Academic Services Building North; Edible Campus UNC, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables from eight gardens across campus; and meal cards donated by Carolina Dining Services that students can access through the financial aid or Dean of Students offices. Student Affairs’ recently launched app Hello Heels also allows students to opt-in to push notifications about where they can find free food on campus.

“The reality is there are so many factors that go into what a student spends on food,” Rieckenberg said. They might seem to have enough money but be one emergency away from a tough choice: “Do I keep the roof over my head, or do I pay for groceries?”

Raising funds — and awareness

Carolina aims to win the Pantry Bowl, besting NC State in the contest and raising more money than ever to provide greater access to food across campus. And as the total raised during the Pantry Bowl goes up, Carolina’s donors are playing an important part in helping the numbers on food insecurity go down.

“Carolina makes a significant commitment to support our students’ academic and personal pursuits, and we’re working hard to raise awareness that these efforts exist,” she said. “We might not be able to erase food insecurity totally, but with increased efforts and awareness, we can make those numbers go down.”

Support the Pantry Bowl with a gift of any size at givecampus.com/s/ysrnlo.