When someone overdoses it is important to get them help as soon as possible. Phone 999 or go to A&E if you or someone else has taken drugs and has symptoms like:
- unresponsive
- blue lips
- shallow breathing
- pin point pupils
- pale skin
- seizures or fitting
- rapid heart beat
- low/undetectable heart rate
- chest pains
- difficulty breathing (snoring or rasping)
- severe nausea and vomiting
- hyperthermia (overheating)
Always carry naloxone
Naloxone should be given to anyone who is non-responsive and displaying the signs of an overdose.
Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Even if it doesn’t help, it will do no harm.
If you use opioid drugs, always ensure you have a Naloxone kit to hand. The Shetland Recovery Hub & Community Network offer free Naloxone and training. Tel: 01595 744402, Email: [email protected]
Naloxone can also be delivered to your home through the charity Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs.
Naloxone is very easy to administer. You can learn more about administering naloxone in a free e-learning module created by the Scottish Drug Forum.
Key factors of overdose
Some key factors of overdose include:
- Using multiple drugs at the same time
- A contaminated drug supply
- Changes in tolerance
- Redosing too soon
- Dependence or addiction
- A lowered immune system
- Taking drugs alone and/or in unfamiliar settings
- Taking drugs after a break
- Taking higher purity drugs
- Injecting drugs
For more information on ow to respond to an overdose visit–
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- How to respond to a drug overdose CREW
- Stop the Deaths campaign – Stop The Deaths