Tuesday 12 December 2006
Young people are being urged to call for an ambulance immediately if they suspect a friend has overdosed on drugs through an advertisement soon to be screened at cinemas across
Melbourne.
Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said the community service announcement (CSA) produced by
MAS will help prevent similar deaths like Belinda Davey, a young woman who died of a drug overdose in February 2005.
“In his findings the State Coroner, who investigated the death, recommended MAS help e ducate drug users about using 000 when their friends have suffered a drug overdose,” Ms
Pike said.
“In Victoria there is at least one recorded drug overdose death because of a delay in calling for an ambulance, so if this new ad can help just save one life this year it is worth it.
“I would urge all young people who find themselves in a situation with a friend who is seriously ill, or possibly dying, as the result of using a drug to immediately dial 000 and ask for an ambulance. As the ad says, it’s your call.”
Metropolitan Ambulance Service (MAS) has joined forces with Swinburne University Film and
Television School to produce a 60-second cinema and 30-second television community service announcement reminding young people that the lives of their friends are in their hands.
MAS Chief Executive Officer Greg Sassella said there was anecdotal evidence of young people hesitating to call 000 for assistance because of police involvement, fears that their parents will find out, or mistakenly believing that the person suffering an overdose is ‘just sleeping’.
“There is no reason to be afraid to call an ambulance,” Mr Sassella said. “If a friend has taken a drug of some kind and has gone into respiratory arrest then their very best chance of living is if an ambulance is called immediately and paramedics start resuscitation as soon as possible.
“Our paramedics are focused only on saving lives and will always want to help. They also seek to protect the privacy of all patients and will only call for police if a crime is in the process of being committed.”
Mr Sassella said there was also evidence of young people failing to come forward to identify the drug used, again from fear of becoming involved in a police investigation. He said it was vital for paramedics to know which drug was used in order to apply the correct treatment.
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“We would encourage people to avoid experimenting with drugs because of the serious health risks involved but we are not going to sit in judgement if somebody has taken drugs and needs urgent medical assistance,” he said.
“Whenever there has been a drug overdose an ambulance should be called immediately and people should not delay calling for an ambulance because they fear the presence of police.
That’s not our role: our role is to save lives.”
Students at the Film and Television School at Swinburne University of Technology were responsible for the project. The ads will screen in 35 cinemas across Greater Melbourne and on television from early next year.
For further information please contact:
Ambulance Corporate Communications
9840-3513 or 0419-587-113
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