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18
Dos and Don'ts in Responding to Opioid Overdose
• DO Call for Help (Dial 911)
• DO support the person's breathing by administering oxygen
or performing rescue breathing.
• DO administer naloxone (a drug that reverses the effect of
opioids) as an injection or a nasal spray.
• ALL FRIENDS/FAMILY SHOULD HAVE
NALOXONE AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT.
• DO put the person on their side if they are breathing
independently.
• DO stay with the person and keep them warm.
• DON'T slap or try to forcefully stimulate the person—
it will only cause further injury. If shouting, rubbing
knuckles on the sternum (center of the chest or rib cage),
or light pinching will not awaken the person, he or she may
be unconscious.
• DON'T put the person into a cold bath or shower. This
increases the risk of falling, drowning or going into shock.
• DON'T inject the person with any substance (salt water,
milk, "speed," heroin, etc.). The only safe and appropriate
treatment is naloxone.
• DON'T try to make the person vomit drugs that he or she
may have swallowed. Choking or inhaling vomit into the
lungs can cause death.
OVERDOSE
AN OPIOID OVERDOSE NEEDS
IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
