Preventing & Responding to an Opioid Overdose
If a person experiences an overdose, it is crucial to act swiftly. Immediately call 9-1-1 for medical assistance, remain calm, and do not hesitate to administer naloxone if you have it available.
Preventing an Opioid Overdose
NEVER TAKE ANYONE ELSE'S PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION! Only take medications prescribed to you.
Do not take more than the dose your doctor prescribed to you.
Never mix your medications with alcohol, sleeping pills, or any other illicit substance.
Store your medication out of reach of children.
Dispose of any unused or expired medication properly.
Never use alone. Make sure you have naloxone on hand. Know your state's Good Samaritan Law.
What are the Signs of an Opioid Overdose?
IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR FRIEND OR LOVED ONE IS OVERDOSING CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!
Snoring, choking, or gurgling sounds
Small, constricted "pinpoint" pupils
Limp body
Loss of consciousness; "nodding out"; does not wake or respond to your voice
Slow, shallow, depressed breathing or no breathing at all
Pale blue; cold, clammy skin and fingernails
Vomiting
Responding to an Overdose
Call 9-1-1 immediately
If you have Naloxone/Narcan administer it
Place the person on their side, make sure their airway is clear
Perform rescue breaths, 1 breath every 5 seconds for 2 minutes
If after 2 minutes the person has not regained consciousness, administer another dose of Naloxone/Narcan while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Multiple doses may be required.
**It is very important to seek medical attention, even if the person has regained consciousness. Narcan can wear off after a short period of time (30-45 minutes) potentially causing the person to overdose again.
Naloxone
Naloxone is an effective medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
When administered during an opioid overdose, naloxone disables an opioid’s harmful effects to the brain, temporarily reversing an opioid overdose.
Effective if opioids are misused in combination with other sedatives or stimulants. It is not effective in treating overdoses of benzodiazepines or stimulant overdoses involving cocaine and amphetamines.
It can be administered as an injection or nasal spray (Narcan®).
In Minnesota, it is legal to carry naloxone and also administer it under Steve's Law aka the Good Samaritan Law.
You do not have to be 18 or have a prescription to obtain Narcan®.
Narcan® wears off after 30-45 minutes, it is important to seek medical attention right away to avoid suffering another overdose.
You will not harm someone if you administer Narcan® when it is not needed.
It can be administered on people of all ages including infants and children who may be experiencing an overdose.
Steve's Law aka the Good Samaritan Law
Fear and being uneducated in the signs and how to respond to an opioid overdose are among the most common reasons teens, young adults, and adults alike have given for not calling 911 for help when their friend was overdosing . "I didn't want to be arrested. I don't want to go to jail/prison. I didn't want to get caught using drugs. I didn't realize my friend was overdosing; I thought they were just really high. I didn't know; I thought they were sleeping it off."
"Steve's Law", commonly referred to as The Good Samaritan Law provides the following:
Allows people to carry naloxone and to administer it without fear of prosecution in Minnesota.
Offers immunity to the person who calls 911 seeking help for the individual overdosing.
Gives both the person overdosing and the person seeking help limited liability to use, drug possession, and paraphernalia.
Seeking help for someone overdosing should not impact someone's probation or parole per Steve's Law.
Only applies to the person experiencing the overdose & the person seeking help. Steve's Law does not apply to bystanders.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2014/0/Session+Law/Chapter/232/
Fentanyl Testing Strips
Fentanyl testing strips are a harm reduction tool used to detect the presence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, in illicit drugs.
FTS might not detect more potent fentanyl-like drugs, like carfentanil. Fentanyl testing strips do not detect the presence of Xylazine.
Fentanyl testing strips work by detecting the presence of most fentanyl analogs, not all, by testing the drug and producing a visual response. Always use extra caution.
These strips provide rapid and semi-quantitative results, giving users an indication of potential fentanyl contamination in their substances.
Fentanyl testing strips are intended to reduce the risk of accidental overdose and death among drug users by allowing them to make more informed decisions about drug consumption.
While fentanyl testing strips can be a valuable harm reduction strategy, they are not foolproof and should be used in conjunction with other harm reduction measures, such as naloxone distribution and drug education programs.
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/fentanyl-test-strips.html
Minnesota Department of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/opioids/opioid-dashboard/resources.html
The Chocolate Chip Cookie Effect
Fentanyl might not be everywhere in your drugs and your test might miss it.
Mixing fentanyl with other drugs may result in uneven distribution within pills, powders, and other substances, commonly referred to as the "chocolate chip cookie effect." Even if one dose tests negative for fentanyl, the entire batch cannot be considered safe, as certain parts of a pill, crystal, or powder supply might test negative for fentanyl while it could still be present in other areas.