Opioid Overdose Basics

• An overdose is when a toxic amount of a drug, or combination of drugs overwhelms the body. Opioid overdoses happen when there are so many opioids or a combination of opioids and other drugs in the body that the victim is not responsive to stimulation and/or breathing is inadequate.

• Opioids fit into specific receptors that also affect the drive to breathe. If someone can not breathe or is not breathing enough, the oxygen levels in the blood decrease, and the lips and fingers turn blue- this is called cyanosis. This oxygen starvation eventually stops other vital organs like the heart, and then the brain. This leads to unconsciousness, coma, and then death.

• Brain damage starts to occur after 3-5 minutes without oxygen, followed by death. Fortunately, this process is rarely instantaneous; people slowly stop breathing which usually happens minutes to hours after the drug is used. While people have been “found dead with a needle in their arm,” more often there is time to intervene between when an overdose starts and before a victim dies.

• 
  Heroin, prescription opioids, and other downers such as alcohol and benzodiazepines are a particularly dangerous combo since they all affect the body’s central nervous system, which slows breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate, and in turn, reduces body temperature.

• In a stimulant overdose, drugs like speed, cocaine, and ecstasy raise the heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, and speed up breathing. This can lead to a seizure, stroke, heart attack, or death.

How to help someone who is overdosing:

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. If the person is unconscious, roll them onto their side to prevent choking.
3. Check their breathing and pulse. If they are not breathing, give CPR.
4. If you have Narcan, administer it according to the package instructions.

Stay with the person until help arrives.

References

 Opioid Overdose Basics - Harm Reduction Coalition. (2019). Harmreduction.org. https://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/

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Saving Lives without Fear: 👀👀👀👀👀

 

 Legal Protections for Narcan Administrators

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Laws that protect someone when they administer Narcan

Good Samaritan laws

• Good Samaritan laws are in place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These laws protect people who call 911 or provide assistance to someone in an emergency from being arrested or sued. This includes people who administer Narcan to someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose.

Naloxone access laws are in place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These laws make it easier for people to obtain Narcan, including through pharmacies and community organizations. Some of these laws also specifically protect people who administer Narcan from civil and criminal liability.

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What to do if you see someone overdosing

• If you see someone overdosing, the first thing you should do is call 911. If you have Narcan, you can also administer it to the person. Narcan is a safe and effective medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

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To administer Narcan, follow these steps:

1. Remove the Narcan from the package and place it in your nose.
2. Push the plunger down to release the Narcan.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 if the person does not respond after 2-3 minutes.
4. Stay with the person until help arrives.

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Legal protections for people who administer Narcan

1. In most states, people who administer Narcan in good faith are protected from civil and criminal liability. This means that they cannot be sued or arrested for administering Narcan, even if the person overdosing dies.

1. However, it is important to note that these laws vary from state to state. It is always a good idea to check the laws in your state before administering Narcan.

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How to find out more about Narcan and Good Samaritan laws in your state

You can find more information about Narcan and Good Samaritan laws in your state by contacting your state health department or by visiting the website of the National Harm Reduction Coalition.

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Conclusion

Laws that protect people who administer Narcan are essential for saving lives. By making Naloxone more accessible and protecting people from legal liability, these laws encourage people to help others who are overdosing.

The Beauty of Darkness

 

The Other Side of Light

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Darkness is often seen as something negative, but it is actually essential for the existence of light. In fact, darkness is the glue that binds light together in the universe.

• Without darkness, light would not be able to exist. This is because light is the absence of darkness. When there is no darkness, there is no light.

Darkness is also essential for the formation of stars and galaxies. When gravity pulls matter together, it creates a dense cloud of gas and dust. This cloud is so dense that light cannot escape from it. This is why we see dark clouds in space.

Over time, the gravity in these clouds causes them to collapse and form stars. Stars are incredibly hot and bright, but they would not be able to exist without the darkness that created them.

Darkness is also essential for life on Earth. Plants need darkness to sleep and to grow. Animals need darkness to rest and to hunt. And humans need darkness to sleep and to dream.

So, while darkness is often seen as something negative, it is actually essential for the existence of light, stars, galaxies, and life on Earth.

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Here are some specific examples of how darkness binds light together in the universe:

Black holes: Black holes are regions of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. Black holes are invisible, but we can see their effects on the light around them. For example, when a star passes near a black hole, its light is bent and distorted. This is called gravitational lensing.

Nebulae: Nebulae are clouds of gas and dust that are found throughout the universe. Nebulae are often dark, but they can also be very bright when they are illuminated by nearby stars. Nebulae are the birthplace of stars, and they play an important role in the formation of galaxies.

Dark matter: Dark matter is a mysterious substance that makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe. Dark matter is invisible, but we can see its effects on the gravity of visible matter. Dark matter is thought to play an important role in the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Darkness is a fundamental part of the universe, and it is essential for the existence of light and life.

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In addition to the above, darkness also has a significant impact on our perception of light. When we are in a dark room, even a small amount of light can seem very bright. This is because our eyes have adjusted to the darkness. In contrast, when we are in a brightly lit room, even a large amount of light may seem dim. This is because our eyes have adjusted to the brightness.

This contrast between light and dark is what allows us to see the world around us. Without darkness, we would not be able to perceive light, and the world would appear to be a flat, gray plane.

Darkness is also important for our mental and emotional well-being. When we are in darkness, our bodies produce melatonin, a hormone that helps us to sleep. Melatonin is also thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

In conclusion, darkness is an essential part of the universe and our lives. It is the glue that binds light together, and it plays an important role in the formation of stars, galaxies, and life on Earth. Darkness also has a significant impact on our perception of light and our mental and emotional well-being.