Opioid Overdose
What are opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and some pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone or morphine.
When used correctly under a healthcare provider's direction, prescription pain medicines are helpful. However, misusing prescription opioids risks dependence, addiction, and overdose.
The best ways to prevent opioid overdose deaths are to improve safe opioid prescribing, reduce exposure to opioids, prevent misuse, and treat opioid use disorder.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services
What is an opioid overdose?
An opioid overdose is the physical and mental symptoms that occur after taking too many opioids.
An overdose can be life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care.
Signs of an overdose:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
Slow, shallow breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Pale, blue, or cold skin
Sources: Mayo Clinic and CDC
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.
Learn more about fentanyl HERE.
Some drug dealers are mixing fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. This is especially risky because a person's drugs could be laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl and they wouldn't know it.
Source: NIH
One Pill Can Kill
Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills to deceive the American public
Fake pills often contain fentanyl or methamphetamine and can be deadly. They are commonly sold on social media and made to look like prescription drugs
It is possible to overdose the first time you take these drugs. See Collin's story.
Source: DEA
What is Naloxone/NARCAN?
Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of an opioid overdose.
Naloxone is a safe medicine. It only reverses overdoses in people with opioids in their systems. If Naloxone is administered to a person not experiencing an opioid overdose, the medication has little to no effect on the person.
Learn more HERE
Source: NIH
Where to get Naloxone/NARCAN?
You can get NARCAN Nasal Spray over the counter at pharmacies like Rite Aid and CVS for $30 to $50
Huntington Hospital will give you NARCAN Nasal Spray for free if you ask for it
80% of overdoses happen in the home. You never know who might be at risk, it's a good idea to stock your home with NARCAN Nasal Spray.
Learn more HERE
Responding to an Overdose
1. Identify opioid overdose and check for response
ASK the person if they are okay and shout their name.
Check for signs of opioid overdose:
Will not wake up or respond to your voice or touch
Breathing is very slow, irregular, or has stopped
The center part of their eye is very small, sometimes called "pinpoint pupils"
Call 911
Tell the 911 dispatcher, “I think someone has overdosed!”
In California, it is not a crime to report an overdose, both you and the overdose victim will not be arrested for drug or paraphernalia possession. You can save a life.
2. Give NARCAN Nasal Spray
Lay the person on their back to receive a dose of NARCAN Nasal Spray
Remove NARCAN Nasal Spray from the box
Peel back the tab with the circle to open the NARCAN Nasal Spray
Hold the NARCAN Nasal Spray with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle
Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into either nostril.
Tilt the person's head back and provide support under the neck with your other hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril, until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person's nose.
Press the red plunger firmly to give the dose of NARCAN Nasal Spray.
Remove the NARCAN Nasal Spray from the nostril after giving the dose.
3. Call for emergency medical help, Evaluate, and Support
Get emergency medical help right away. Naloxone only works in the body for 30 to 90 minutes. It is possible for a person to still experience the effects of an overdose after naloxone wears off which is why it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Move the person on their side (either side- recovery position) after giving NARCAN Nasal Spray
Move the person's arm under their head to support their neck
Bend the person's top leg forward to stop their body from rolling onto their stomach
Watch the person closely.
If the person does not respond by waking up, to voice or touch, or breathing normally, another dose may be given. NARCAN Nasal Spray may be dosed every 2 to 3 minutes, if available.
Repeat Step 2 using a new NARCAN Nasal Spray to give another dose into the other nostril. If additional NARCAN Nasal Sprays are available, repeat Step 2 every 2 to 3 minutes until the person responds or emergency medical help is received.
Source: Naloxone Exchange
Good Samaritan Laws
Good Samaritan Laws states that people who administer medical or non-medical assistance in an emergency in good faith without expecting compensation, won't be held liable for their acts or omissions (it protects a person from getting sued for helping or not helping).
Many overdose deaths are preventable, yet people often fear arrest if they call 9-1-1 for help at the scene of a drug overdose. Good Samaritan Laws are also designed to encourage people to seek medical care for the overdose victim by providing limited protection from arrest, charge, and/or prosecution for low-level drug violations.
Source: Santa Clara County Behavioral Health
