This life-saving informational video teaches how to identify an opioid overdose, as well as how to obtain and administer Narcan.
This life-saving informational video teaches viewers how to identify an opioid overdose, how to obtain and administer Narcan, and how to seek emergency medical help for someone who is experiencing an overdose.
Watch the 35 minute video above, or read the text from the presentation here:
Opioid Overdoes Prevention & Narcan Use Training
What are Opioids?
Opioids bind to specific receptors in the brain that reduce the transmission of pain signals throughout the body. Opioids include:
Occurs when a person has consumed more opioids than their body is able to process.
The respiratory system is slowed down and breathing can stop. Death occurs from lack of oxygen. Brain damage can also occur from lack of oxygen to the brain.
While an OD can be sudden, it can occur hours after an opioid is first consumed.
Often others are around when ODs occur.
A "window of opportunity" for intervention often exists.
Among heroin users, about 1 in 5 will have a non-fatal overdose each year and about 1 in 100 will die.
Risks for Opioid Overdose Include:
Using opioids again after a break (e.g. after inpatient treatment, a hospital stay, or jail).
Taking pain medication more often or in higher doses than prescribed, or, using someone else's medication. The dose could be too much.
Using heroin or pills bought on the street. Heroin and street pills often contain other substances that can be dangerously toxic.
Using opioids with alcohol or other drugs including sleeping pills, benzodiazepines ("benzos" like Valium and Xanax), cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Any current or chronic illness that weakens the heart or makes it harder to breathe.
Using opioids alone. You are more likely to die from an overdose if no one is there to help.
Previous overdose. A person who has overdosed before is more likey to overdose again.
Deaths Caused by Overdose Between 2008 to 2020 in King County, WA
The number and rate of overdose deaths has increased over the past decade.
Opioids are involved in most overdose deaths.
Fentanyl-related deaths increased significantly in recent years.
Methamphetamine-involved deaths increased significantly in recent years.
Most overdose deaths are attributed to multiple drugs.
Source: King County Medical Examiner's Office as of 7/31/2020.
Responding to an Overdose
Try to wake them up
Rub your knuckles hard over their chest bone.
If they don't wake up, they need medical help right away!
Call 911: Tell the operator the person is not breathing or is barely breathing - this will get the highest level of medical response.
Tilt head back. Lift chin. Pinch nose.
Give 2 quick breaths. Chest should rise.
If they don't start breathing, adminster Narcan.
Give 1 slow breath every 5 seconds.
Adminster a second dose of Narcan if they don't respond to the first.
A person won't necessarily know that they have overdosed when they regain consciousness.
Narcan wears off in 30-90 minutes. When it does, the person could stop breathing again. Watch them until medical help arrives.
Place the person into the recovery position (on their side) so they can breathe and won't choke on any vomit.
If you must peave, put the person in a place where they can be easily found.
Encourage follow-up medical care. Health care staff will: relieve symptoms of withdrawal, monitor breathing and risks for another overdose, and treat any other medical conditions.
Narcan (Naloxone)
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe distributes Narcan Nasal Spray through the Pharmacy and Behavioral Health Program's Needle Exchange and First Responders' Grant.
It's designed to be easy to use without medical training.
No prescription necessary.
Fentanyl
WARNING:
Beware of counterfeit pills that may look like prescription drugs. They likely contain fentanyl (a synthetic drug 100 times more powerful than other opioids). Oxycodone pills that are sold on the street or online likely contain fentanyl.
Do not consume any pill that you do not directly receive from a pharmacy or prescriber.
Where has Fentanyl shown up locally?
In King County, fentanyl is most commonly seen in blue, greenish, or pale colored counterfeit pills. There may be other colors. These pills may be marked as "M30" and sometimes as "K9," "215," and "v48." Fentanyl may also be in white powders and more recently has been found in "black tar" heroin.
