Spot an
Overdose
You can fight back against fentanyl just by keeping your eyes open. If a friend or classmate were to try just one pill laced with fentanyl, they could overdose. Fentanyl is that strong. If no one helps someone who is overdosing, they could die. You can be the person who knows what to do. The steps are not hard.
LOOK FOR THE BIG 5
Signs of an overdose:
They won’t wake up
Slow, difficult breathing, or no breathing
Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds
Fingernail and lip coloring doesn’t look natural or healthy
Cold or clammy skin
You don’t have to be totally sure. If you think it’s an overdose, follow these steps:
CHECK. CALL. SPRAY. STAY.
Check
Try to wake them up. Shake them and shout their name. If they don’t respond, it’s time to call 911.
Call
Call 911 immediately and say, “Someone is not breathing.” Tell the operator exactly where you are. Follow the directions they give you.
Spray
Give the person naloxone if you have it. If it turns out they’re not overdosing, it won’t hurt them. (What’s naloxone? Scroll down to learn more.)
Stay
Stay with them until help arrives. While you wait, listen for the person’s breathing. What if you can’t hear them breathe or their breath sounds shallow? If you know mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing, do that.
If you act to protect a friend,
You’re protected
Some teens worry that if they call 911 to help a person who has overdosed on drugs, they will get in trouble. This is not true. In Oregon, there is a law that protects people in this situation. It’s called the Good Samaritan Law. This law says that you cannot be prosecuted for helping someone who is overdosing.
What’s naloxone?
(you say it: nuh-LOCKS-own)
Naloxone is a legal medication that can reverse a fentanyl overdose. Sometimes it’s called Narcan, a brand name. It comes in a nose spray or syringe, and it’s easy to use. The most important thing to know about naloxone is that it’s a tool that saves lives. It’s like an EpiPen for someone with a life-threatening allergy. That’s why naloxone is part of first aid kits at schools, sports arenas and other places where lots of people gather.
It's getting easier for anyone (including teens) to get naloxone at pharmacies in Oregon (see map). You don’t need a prescription, but it can be expensive. There’s also a place that will mail it to you for free.