Presented By:Mary Wheeler

Street Outreach CoordinatorCAB Health and Recovery Services Inc.,

Lynn, MA

On average 2 people a day die of an opiate overdose in Massachusetts.

New England’s opiate use is 35% higher than the rest of the US.

In 2008 a reported 644 people died from drug overdose.

The Narcan program in MA has reversed over 500 overdoses.

The 500 overdose reversals were primarily done by active drug users to other active drug users.

Fentanyl and Methadone are synthetic opioids (man-made)

Heroin, Percoset, Vicodin and Oxycontin are semi-synthetic opioids

Opiates and Opioids are used for primarily pain management

Used for people with chronic pain (ex. cancer or HIV/AIDS)

Easily and widely abused

Regular use leads to tolerance

People must take higher doses to feel effects

Severe withdrawals

Euphoria, warm, relaxed, dry mouth, pinned pupils, nausea/vomiting, suppresion of the nervous system, “rush”, “nod”

Opiates can be swallowed in pill form, drank in liquid form, smoked, snorted or injected

Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, valium etc.,) Clonidine Neurontin Cocaine Alcohol Marijuana Meth, Ecstasy, Acid, Mushrooms, Special K, Inhalants Adderall, Ritalin Cough syrup and cough medicine Motion sickness pills

What Can Happen?

Disfigurement from long-time use.

Severe health issues such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A, B, C.

Criminal record.

What Can Happen?

Overdose related health issues.

Fatal overdose of friends, family etc,.

Too much of a drug

Shuts down your bodies main functions

Heart

Lungs

Brain

Liver

Unconscious for a long period of time but not knowing how long

Black-out

Falling out on a hand, arm, leg etc., causing loss of circulation

Abstinence

Don’t Mix

Be careful after a period of not using

Getting out of jail or drug treatment

Never use alone

Know what you are taking

Not breathing Irregular breathing Turning blue Shaking Sweating Seizure Can’t wake up Can’t talk Can’t hear Not responding to

pain

Are you ok?

Check for breathing

Sternum or Sternal Rub

If no response call 9-1-1

If they respond try to keep them talking

No food or water

Put them on their side in the recovery position

If they do not respond do rescue breathing

If you leave the scene make sure you have put them on their side

Medication to reverse an OPIOID overdose

Blocks the drug for 20-90 minutes

Starts the person breathing

Works 100% if heart is beating

Does not work on other types of drugs

You want Paramedics or Advanced Life Support

Calling 9-1-1 will alert medical, fire and police

Overdose is not a priority call, respiratory arrest is.

“Someone here has stopped breathing.”

“Someone here is in respiratory arrest.”

Give your address or location

They can walk you through the situation if you stay.

Or you can say, “I know what to do, see you soon.”

Fear

Drugs on them

Guns/Weapons

Warrants

Don’t care

Don’t want people to know they use.

Section 8

Children

Stay calm

Get people out of the house that do not need to be there

Leave a door open so they can get in

If you are giving the person rescue breathing let the medical people take over

If you have given the person Narcan tell the medics

If you know what drugs have been taken tell the medical people

Body language

Stay calm, don’t make sudden moves

Keep your hands where they can be seen

What you say CAN be used against you, even if you are not arrested.

DO NOT RUN

DO NOT touch the officer

Don’t resist

Don’t argue, be polite

Do not say anything if you get arrested

Don’t give excuses or make up stories

Wait for a lawyer or parent

You are entitled to a free lawyer if you can’t afford one

Knowingly being present

Possession

School zone violation

Conspiracy to violate drug laws

Voluntary manslaughter (if someone dies)

Lying to police/giving a fake name

Probation/Parole Violation

“Known drug user”

What does it feel like to see an overdose?

Who would you talk to if you see something like this?

Who would you talk to if you overdose or a family member overdoses?

Do you have any questions, comments or concerns?