FENTANYL, OPIOID & HEROIN OVERDOSE

Overdose can happen to anyone, anywhere, learn more on how you can save someone’s life.

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) is a medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It attaches to opioid receptors and reverses the effect of the drug. It restores the normal breathing of a person with slowed or stopped breathing due to an opioid overdose. Naloxone is a safe medication to use, if naloxone is used on someone who was not experiencing an overdose it will not harm them. 

1. Nasal Spray

2. Injected into the muscle

Where to get it for free in Santa Cruz County?

  Safe Stations

   Mariposa Community Health Center

   Circles of Peace

   HOPE, INC

How to respond to an opioid overdose

1) Check for signs of an overdose, signs include:

  • Unconscious/unresponsive or awake but can’t talk
  • Slow or no breathing
  • Vomiting
  • Low pulse
  • Body is very limp
  • Fingernails or lips turn blue

2) Call 911

  • Tell them someone isn’t breathing and what drug they may have used. Give a description of your location.

3) Give Naloxone/Narcan

        • Insert the tip of the spray into one nostril. Press the plunger firmly to give the dose of Nalaxone. Remove the spray from the nostril after giving the dose. If the person does not wake up after a minute or two, use a new spray and give a second dose in the other nostril.

4) Perform Rescue breaths or CPR

5) Stay until help arrives

What is Harm Reduction?

Harm reduction is an approach to make harmful practices less risky. Using drugs is extremely risky, but when someone is not ready to quit, we encourage safer practices to keep them alive and “safer”. Some examples include:

  Getting the hepatitis vaccine if you inject drugs

  Using clean syringes/needles

  Never share equipment used for drugs, especially needles

  Drink plenty of fluids when using drugs

  Have Narcan/Naloxone

  Test your drugs for fentanyl

Benefits of Harm Reduction

Prevent infections that spread through the blood

  Prevent death

  Prevent dental problems

  Prevent skin problems from injecting drugs

  Prevent Hepatitis B and C

  Prevent injection-related injuries

  Prevent overdose

  Other drug-related injuries and diseases

Harm Reduction of Opiate Use

Harm reduction doesn’t replace treatment. The risk of using drugs does not go away. 

  Be Naloxone ready

  Take care of yourself

  Get the right vaccines

  Avoid using alone

  Medication-assisted treatment

  Avoid fentanyl, use fentanyl test strips to check your substances

More information and help:

Sonoran Prevention Works
AZ Dept of Health Services

Ready to get Involved?

Organizations and community members involved in SUD/OUD are welcome to join!
Email Yara Castro at info@sosaheal.org or call 520-375-6050 for more information.