What to do (and what not to do) in the event of an overdose

[Junkhead23]

Now first things first a heroin overdose can occur from injecting, snorting AND SMOKING! However it is highly unlikely if smoked as SWIY are highly likely to pass out before overdosing. Therefore the risk is greater with snorting and much greater from injecting. Most times when users overdose on heroin it is due to taking a break from using (being in prison or on holiday for example) and not reducing the amount used. Also occasionally an exceptionally strong batch of heroin can be on the streets which users are not used to which leads to overdose.

Symptoms of a Heroin overdose include but are not limited to:

• muscle spasticity
• slow and labored breathing
• shallow breathing
• stopped breathing (sometimes fatal within 2-4 hours)
• pinpoint pupils
• dry mouth
• cold and clammy skin
• tongue discoloration
• bluish colored fingernails and lips
• spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
• constipation
• weak pulse
• low blood pressure
• drowsiness
• disorientation
• coma
• delirium

DO's

If someone that you are with overdoses:

• Try to pinch them on the ear or your nail into the bed of theirs and also try to rub their sternum (breastplate). If they react then they are still alert if they do not however:

• PHONE an ambulance. Say you have an unconcious person and they will come straight away. Do not say drug overdose as this may bring police. Tell them what they have taken when they arrive.
  
• Clean up SWIY shit (needles and stuff)
  
• If nalaxone is available use it but beware when the awake they will be in violent withdrawals and will mos likely need hospital treatment or some benzos. Beware that they may come around and 20 minutes later the narcan has wore off they can collapse again.
• Put them into the recovery position and check their airways to make sure they have no swallowed their tongue or have been sick and this is blocking their airway.
  
• Check their pulse and see if they are breathing. If they have stopped breathing give them mouth to mouth (if you know how) or if their pulse has stopped try to restart their heart by giving CPR.
• If you are worried about the cops take them outside but stay with them. (in the UK this is not necessary as the police will not come in most circumstances) Stay with them if you do this until the ambulance arrives and notify the crew what they have taken.
  

DON'Ts

• Do not inject them with a stimulant as this will only make matters worse it will not liven them up.
• Do not inject them with salt or saline solution as this is also ineffective.
• Also injecting milk is also a complete waste of time.
• Leave them alone to get on with it or dump the body (Imagine it was SWIY)
• Not tell the paramedics what they have taken as this could waste vital time. The paramedics will not grass SWIY up.
• Kick them or do anything else to hurt them physically. Pinching the ears is just as good to see if they are alert
• Dump them in a cold bath. This can lead to shock

Remember an overdose doesn't have to be a death sentence if SWIY have the right person around

JH