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Overdose Awareness Week

August 13, 2024  |  intervention, overdose, Overdose Awareness Week
Knowing how to spot an overdose can save a life

We're coming up on Overdose Awareness Week across the country. Though every day presents a perfect time to learn how you can help, this particular week - August 26-31 - is set aside to help draw attention to the problem of overdoses and the opportunities to reduce and end its horrible after-effects.

For starters, the Denters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there were 105,323 overdose deaths in the United States. Officially that number was down about two percent from 2022, but it was still overwhelming - and no less alarming.

How many of those deaths could have been prevented? Some data also indicates that many overdoses happen in the presence of bystanders. Could they have helped had they known how to intervene?

If you could save the life of someone experiencing an overdose, would you? Of course we'd all answer yes. So here's how to spot an overdose and what to do:

First, call 9-1-1 immediately!

  • The person's face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
  • Their body gos limp
  • Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color]
  • They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
  • Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops

What you can do to help:

  • Call 9-1-1
  • Start CPR if there is no breathing or if breathing is very weak
  • Treat with naloxone to reverse opioid overdose

This Overdose Awareness Week and beyond, learn all you can to help people survive and beat overdose.

 

Source material:

SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/opioid-overdose