Drug Overdose Awareness Information
Safe Needle Disposal
If you come across a needle, there are ways to discard it safely. It’s important to discard needles properly. Don’t put sharps in the garbage or recycle bin! Familiarize yourself with this brief instructional video and pamphlet.
What to do if you witness or suspect an overdose at Selkirk College:
- Call 911
- Alert campus first aid
- Follow SAVE ME protocol (see below)
- Stay with individual until further help arrives
Naloxone
Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids (heroine, methadone, fentanyl, morphine).
It’s important to remember that having a Naloxone kit is a last resort. Anyone who has a Naloxone kit must understand the importance of calling for help (911). Administering Naloxone is done LAST.
Watch a short video to learn more about how to use Naloxone.
SAVE ME protocol
S - Stimulate: Check if the person is responsive, can you wake them up?
A - Airway: Make sure there is nothing in the mouth blocking the airway, or stopping them from breathing.
V - Ventilate: Help them breath. Plug the nose, tilt the head back and give one breath every five seconds.
E - Evaluate: Do you see any improvement? Proceed to the next step (if trained to give Naloxone) or continue with ventilations.
M - Muscular injection: Inject one dose (1cc) of naloxone into a muscle. Click here to learn more about Naloxone and how to safely administer it.
E - Evaluate and support: Is the person breathing? If they are not awake in 5 minutes, give one more 1cc dose of Naloxone. Continue with ventilatory rescue breaths in between.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic that is 50-100 times more potent than other opioids, such as morphine, herione, or oxycodone. Although it can be a commonly used in a medical setting for severe pain, the Fentanyl found in illicit substances is often lethal. The amount of fentanyl found in non-pharmaceutical grade drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, is unregulated. The equivalent of 2 grains of salt, which is about 2 milligrams of fentanyl, is a lethal dose.
Because Fentanyl can easily be mass-produced and transported, it is becoming more commonly found in multiple types of illicit drugs. Most commonly Fentanyl is found in heroine, cocaine, crystal meth, as well as illicit oxys, codeine, and morphine. In a recent study done in the Vancouver East Side, 86% of street drugs tested positive for Fentanyl.
What are the effects of Fentanyl?
Fentanyl works by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain that control pain and emotion. These are the same receptors that are found in the area of the brain that control your breathing rate. Fentanyl acts on these opioid receptors and can cause breathing to stop completely, which can then lead to death.
Signs of and opioid overdose:
- Breathing will be slow or absent
- Lips and nails are blue (or turning blue)
- Person is not moving
- Person may be choking
- May hear gurgling sounds or snoring
- Person unable to be woken up
- Skin feels cold and clammy
- Pupils are tiny
- Slow heart beat
- Person has trouble walking or talking
Harm reduction approach to Fentanyl:
If you use drugs purchased from the illicit market, occasionally or regularly, these tips can help to reduce or even prevent an overdose.
- Don’t use alone. Leave the door unlocked. Have someone check on you.
- Do testers to check strength. Use less. Pace yourself.
- Avoid mixing substances with alcohol as it increases risks of overdose
- Use where help is easily available
- Be aware of the signs of an overdose
- Call 9-1-1 right away if an overdose is suspected
- Speak to an experienced person or trusted health care professional about reducing the risk of overdose
- Carry a Naloxone kit and know how to use it
After Care for those Involved in an Overdose Event:
We recognize that being involved in, or experiencing, an overdose event can be a traumatic experience. If you have any concerns or require support, we encourage you to access Selkirk College support services.
Health and Wellness for Employees
Healthy Campus at Selkirk College
Selkirk College Counselling Services
Good Samaritan Law
Some people fear calling 911 in the event of an overdose due to the false belief that they will experience legal repercussions. The Good Samaritan Law protects all citizens and provides immunity to all drug possession charges.
This enactment amends the Controlled Drugs and Substance Acts in order to exempt from charges for possession of person who seeks emergency medical or law enforcement assistance for themselves or another person following overdosing on a controlled substance.