High risk overdose alert – how to reduce risks and save lives

Recognise the signs of an overdose

People have reported seeing or experiencing:

• sudden collapse (shortly after smoking or injecting drugs)
• becoming unresponsive (will not respond to shaking or shouting)
• snoring or noisy breathing
• blue or pale lips and skin
• seizures or fits

If you suspect an overdose

• Call 999
• Administer naloxone
• Stay with the person

If you think someone is overdosing call 999 straight away and ask for an ambulance. Give as much information as possible.

Carry Naloxone at all times. Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid/drug overdose. Naloxone should be given to anyone who is unresponsive and displaying the signs of an overdose leaving 2-3 minutes between doses.

Naloxone is available from Rapid Access to Drug and Alcohol Recovery (RADAR) service, call 01563 574237.

Reduce the risk of overdose

• Don’t use alone, have someone with you who can respond in an emergency
• Make sure you have access to naloxone when using drugs
• If using together, stagger your use, take turns and leave enough time between injecting so that someone can respond with naloxone if needed
• If someone is intoxicated, don’t leave them alone
• Alcohol, mixing of prescribed and other drugs increases the risk of harm
• If you are concerned, contact local support services

Further information

Information booklets:

• How to save a life: emergency response to an overdose booklet (Public Health Scotland)
• Stop the deaths: overdose alert booklet (Scottish Drugs Forum)

Support services:

• Rapid Access to Drug and Alcohol Recovery (RADAR) service: 01563 574237
• Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs: 08080 101 011
• Full directory of East Ayrshire local support services