Presented By:

Mary Wheeler

Street Outreach Coordinator

CAB 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?