Overdose Prevention

Naloxone

Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) is a medication called an "opioid antagonist" used to counter the effects of opioid overdose. Although traditionally administered by emergency response personnel, naloxone can be administered by minimally trained laypeople, which makes it ideal for treating overdose in people who have been prescribed opioid pain medication and in people who use heroin and other opioids. Naloxone can be injected into the muscle or sprayed into the nose. It may work immediately or take up to five minutes.

Signs of overdose

• Very limp body and pale face

• Blue lips or blue fingertips

• No response when you yell the person's name and rub or rub hard in the middle of their chest (sternal rub)

• Slowed breathing (less than one breath every five seconds) or no breathing

• Making choking sounds or a gurgling, snoring noise

After calling 9-1-1

• Yell the person’s name and rub hard in the middle of the chest.

• Try rescue breathing.

  • Make sure nothing is in the person’s mouth

  • Tilt the person’s head back, lift chin, and pinch nose shut.

  • Give one slow breath every five seconds until the person starts breathing.

• Administer naloxone, if available.

• Prevent choking. Put the person on their side.

• Don’t leave. Stay until the ambulance arrives.

Fentanyl test strips

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is regularly added to drugs like heroin and cocaine. Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). FTS provide people who use drugs and communities with important information about fentanyl in the illicit drug supply so they can take steps to reduce risk of overdose.