Talk early, often. Protect the ones you love.
PREVENT OVERDOSE
Opioids can be dangerous.
- Avoid opioids if you have liver, kidney, or breathing problems.
- Don’t take opioids not prescribed to you.
- Don’t take opioids with benzodiazepines such as Xanax, muscle relaxers, or alcohol.
- Don’t take more pills or more often than prescribed.
- Tolerance can change if you don’t use or use less for a short period of time.
- Changes in quality or purity of street drugs, including fake pills can increase opioid risk.
Even if you take as prescribed, higher doses of opioids can increase opioid risk.
RECOGNIZE OVERDOSE
- Won’t respond to noise or light
- Slow or no breathing
- Bluish lips and/or fingertips
- Pinned pupils
RESPOND TO OVERDOSE
- Stimulate by calling their name or gently shaking them
- Call 911
- Administer Naloxone if available
- Perform CPR if you know how
- If no response in 3-5 minutes, give another dose of naloxone
Carry Naloxone
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Specifically, naloxone allows an overdose victim to breathe normally. It is not addictive and cannot be abused.
Who should have Naloxone?
Anyone who is concerned about overdose; uses: alcohol, benzodiazepines, or muscle relaxers with opioids; has liver, kidney, or breathing problems; or uses illicit opioids such as heroin or fentanyl for themselves or someone they care about should carry Naloxone.
Naloxone Training
Training on recognizing and responding to opioid overdose is available for first responders and community members. Contact overdose.prevention@odmhsas.org for more information.
Get Naloxone
In Oklahoma, Naloxone is available for free, without a doctor’s visit or prescription required. It’s available at many pharmacies across the state.
Safe disposal could save a life.
Dispose of unused prescription opioids the safest way possible: Find your community take-back program or pharmacy mail-back program, or properly dispose by following guidance from the Food and Drug Administration.
Know the signs of substance use in youth
Substance Use Disorder can begin at any age, but it usually starts when a person is young. Know and recognize the signs.
Options for treatment include:
- Hanging out with different friends than usual
- Not caring about physical appearance
- Getting lower grades in school
- Missing classes or skipping school