When a person survives an overdose, it’s because someone knew what was happening and how to take action.
If you have friends or family who use drugs, its important that you know what an overdose looks like in case it happens. Once you recognize that someone is overdosing, you can take action by calling 911 and giving naloxone.
Community-Centered Naloxone Training Video
Project Weber/RENEW created a naloxone training video as a part of their Community Overdose Engagement (CODE) grant. The video is peer-led and represents a community-centered approach to identifying and responding to overdoses with naloxone.
How to recognize an overdose
Breathing slowly
A person may have very slow, shallow breaths, make gurgling noises, or stop breathing.
Can’t be woken up
They may be awake but unable to talk or may not respond when you try to wake them up.
Changes to skin tone
Their skin tone can turn grayish or ashen to bluish purple.
How to respond to an overdose
Try to wake the person up
- Call their name and rub the middle of their chest with a closed fist
Call 911
The Rhode Island Good Samaritan Law provides legal protection when you call 911 when someone is overdosing, whether you have drugs on you or not.
-
Give your exact location as best you can.
-
Say if the person is conscious (awake) or not.
-
Say if the person’s breathing has slowed down or stopped.
Administer naloxone
(The label may say “Narcan.”)
Follow the directions for nasal or intramuscular naloxone kits.
Support breathing
-
If the person is breathing again but is still sedated, they don’t need more naloxone. If the person is not breathing, perform rescue breathing and start CPR as directed by 911
-
Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the classic disco song, “Stayin’ Alive.”
Be prepared to give a second dose of naloxone.
If the person is not breathing after two to three minutes, give a second dose of naloxone.
Put the person on their side in the recovery position with their body supported by a bent knee. This will help keep their airway clear and stop them from choking if they throw up.
Naloxone typically wears off in 30-90 minutes.
MORE RESOURCES
Recognizing and Responding to an overdose infographics
Learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose quickly with these shareable infographics.
Safer Drug Use Practices
Learning to take care of yourself takes time and thought.
Learn specific actions you can make to stay safer when you use drugs.