Staying Alive Program
Overdose Prevention
Facilitator
Nathan Fields
The Harm Reduction Approach
This
approach is about giving people options to
reduce harm that drug use causes. With this
philosophy, we believe that any positive change that
you are willing to make is important. It is also about
accepting people wherever they are with their drug
use and giving them options to reduce harm to
themselves and others
Group Rules
Confidentiality (privacy)
Respect
Be
Able to Participate-Managing Drug Use
Open Mind
No Violence or Weapons
Respect the facility we are utilizing
What are some
RISK FACTORS
for overdose?
Low Tolerance
Dose
Mixing Drugs
What are some
SYMPTOMS
of cocaine
overdose?
Symptoms of Cocaine Overdose






Rapid/quick breathing
Pain in the chest and rapid heartbeat
Weakness on one side of their body
Excessive sweating, and
Sensations of crawling skin
NARCAN DOES NOT REVERESE A COCAINE
OVERDOSE
What are some signs of an
OPIATE OVERDOSE
Signs of an opiate overdose?
Unconsciousness
 Slowed or stopped breathing
 Falling out
 Blue lips, skin, or nails
 Slow or faint pulse
 Blurred vision
 Excessive drooling

Comparison of Some Opiates
Drug
Duration
Methadone
24 hr
Heroin
6 – 8 hr
Oxycontin
3 – 6 hr
Codeine
3 – 4 hr
Demerol
2 – 4 hr
Morphine
3 – 6 hr
What are some
STREET REMEDIES
for treating an
overdosed victim?
Myths and consequences of street
remedies for treating an
overdose victim
Street Remedy
Medical Consequence
Using ice
Too much can lead to
hypothermia
Putting in the shower or tub Victim could drown
Injecting with salt water
Hypertension
Hitting, slapping
Bruises, broken bones
Burning fingertips
Severe burns and
amputation
Overdose Prevention
“take it easy”

Control your high
 Do not mix drugs
 From being clean and return to drug use
 Partner up
 Overdose Plan
ABSTINENCE
(not using)
Responding to an opiate
overdose
R.A.C.E.
R
Rouse and stimulate
A
Air Way (Look, Listen, Feel)
C
Call 911
E
Enter Narcan
Locate injection site and clean
Draw Narcan into
Intra muscular syringe
Inject the Narcan
FOLLOW THROUGH
Remove
the needle
Apply pressure and massage
Watch and Wait
Continue Rescue Breathing
Dispose of Syringe
RESCUE
BREATHING
Staying Alive Program
Overdose Prevention
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Nathan Fields
Baltimore City Health Dept.
Health Educator II Prostate Cancer
nathan.fields@baltimorecity.gov
1001 E. Fayette St.
Cell 443.615.5891
Office 410.396.1408
Fax 410.396.8457