Overdose: What can you do to help?

Accidental drug overdose has been rapidly increasing nationwide over the past 10 years. The same is true in Kent County. Overdose is the leading cause of accidental death of all people aged 21-65 in Kent County. Each year it kills more people than HIV and hepatitis C combined. Because of the shame and stigma associated with drug use we often don't hear a lot about these deaths. Fortunately, there is something we can do about it. Most of these overdose deaths are caused by opiates and there is a simple and effective antidote to opiate overdoses. It is called Naloxone Hydrochloride, aka Narcan.

Naloxone is available through the Clean Works program. Clean Works began training our clients in how to prevent and respond to opiate overdoses with Naloxone Hydrochloride in October of 2008. Since then, we have trained over 4,000 people in how to prevent and respond to overdoses, and over 466 overdoses have been reported reversed as a result. Our program has been successful on an individual level, but we would like to see overdose decrease on a community level. In order to see overdose decrease in Kent County, we must continue to increase the access people have to the knowledge, tools and support that they need to stay alive, including Naloxone. In fall of 2014 the Michigan Legislature passed some laws to make naloxone more accessible. PA 311-314 state that

  • Anyone can carry naloxone, regardless of personal need or personal risk.
  • Anyone can use their prescription of naloxone on anyone else if they believe, in good faith, that that person is experiencing an overdose.
  • Anyone using naloxone to reverse an overdose is protected criminally and civilly from prosecution or any other legal consequence.
  • Naloxone can be prescribed to an organization.

Overdose: What can you do to help?

  1. Know why people die from overdoses: With an opiate overdose, or an overdose on downers, people die because they stop breathing. With uppers a person’s heart stops, or they have seizures or stroke.
  1. Know how to prevent an overdose and risk factors for overdose:
  2. Mixing: Overdoses are more likely to occur when mixing opiates with uppers or downers.
  3. Prevention: Use one drug at a time, or don't mix highest risk ones.
  4. Tolerance: After not using for even just a few days, whether this be from jail, rehab, or choice, tolerance to opiates goes way down.
  5. Prevention: Use less when tolerance is low, tester shots.
  6. Quality: Unpredictable and/or half-life.
  7. Prevention: Tester shots, release tourniquet, use reliable dealer, know what you're getting.
  8. Using Alone: Behind closed, locked doors, where you can't be found or no one knows about you.
  9. Prevention: Get high with a friend, leave door unlocked, let someone know.
  1. Know how to recognize an overdose: The line between being high and overdosing is not being responsive. Other signs: slow, shallow breathing, pale or blue color, snoring/gurgling.
  1. Know how to respondto an opiate overdose, and get trained in how to use Naloxone Hydrochloride.

Stimulation- are they overdosing, are they responsive?

A. Assess

Is the person overdosing?

Slow or no breathing < 10 breaths per minute

Will they respond to stimulus? (say their name, give them a shake, do the sternal rub)

Other signs of overdose?

Call 911

A. Administer

Using IM needle, draw up one dose/mL/vial of naloxone

Inject straight into large muscle (shoulder, butt, thigh)

Administer additional doses if necessary (after 2-3 minutes)

A. Aftercare

Use rescue breathing between doses

Administer another dose every 2-3 minutes until person begins to respond

If person wakes up experiencing withdrawal do not let them use more

It will not be effective; naloxone is “blocking” the effects of opiates

Increases risk of OD returning, Naloxone wears off in 30-90 min

Make sure that someone stays with the person for at least a couple hours. If the overdose returns after the naloxone wears off someone needs to be there to respond.

  1. Talk to your friends and family about overdose: What do they know about overdose, what do they want you to do if they overdose. You can't save yourself, so share, and help to erase some shame and stigma.
  1. Provide a referral:A referral to the Clean Works program can literally save a life. Encourage your loved ones to gain access to the knowledge, tools and support that they need to stay alive.

The Clean Works program and overdose response trainings are available:

Monday - Thursday, 12-5pm; Friday 12-3PM: 401 Hall St SE, Main Office

Monday & Thursday, 6-8pm: 54 S Division, Heartside Ministry

Wednesday, 5-7pm: Stocking & 5th, Cherry Health Lot

Friday, 3-4:30pm: Boston Square Walgreens, Fuller & K-zoo; 5-6:30pm: Burton & Division, City Lot

Or by special appointment. To find out more, call the Grand Rapids Red Project at (616) 456-9063