When Your Friend or Someone Else Overdoses

When Your Friend or Someone Else Overdoses

Intentional or accidental overdoses can occur when you or your friend or someone else takes too much of a drug—even if it’s the first time taking the drug, and whether the drug is illicit, prescription, or over the counter. Should an overdose happen to your friend or someone else, you have to think about your responsibilities to that person.

A drug overdose can be hard to identify, because overdose symptoms vary based on the drug and the person taking it. Depending on the drug, symptoms can include trouble breathing, convulsions, vomiting, or unconsciousness.

In addition to being unsure about you’re the person’s condition, you may also be scared because:

“I don’t want my parents to know I was around drugs.”

“I wasn’t even supposed to be at this party.”

“I was the one who gave them the drugs and I don’t want to get into trouble.”

“But what if they just needs to sleep it off?”

The truth is, even if you’re going to get into trouble, if you don’t do the right thing your friend could be critically injured or die. If you know something is wrong, get help. Call 911, or ask your friend’s parents or a responsible adult for help. Doing nothing is the worst thing you can do!

 

What should you do in the case of a drug overdose?

If you suspect a someone has overdosed, getting medical attention can save his or her life! Immediately Call 911, give accurate details about what happened, and make sure you provide first responders or emergency medical personnel with as much information as possible.

• What drug(s) did your friend/person take?
• How long ago were they taken?
• How much was taken?
• Who else should be contacted immediately?

Be honest with the medical professionals who ask questions about your friend/person. Withholding even one piece of information or lying could have serious consequences. The medical staff must know as much as they can to treat your friend/person properly. It can be the difference between life and death!

Calling 911 during an overdose can often mean the difference between life and death. The chance of surviving an overdose depends greatly on how quickly a person receives medical assistance.

At least 17 states and the District of Columbia have already enacted Good Samaritan Laws, which provide limited immunity from arrest or prosecution for minor drug law violations for people who get help at the scene of an overdose. More states are considering similar measures.

Good Samaritan laws do not protect people from arrest for other offenses, such as selling or trafficking drugs. But they do protect the caller and overdose victim from arrest and/or prosecution for simple possession, possession of paraphernalia, and/or being under the influence.

You would want someone to call for help if you were the overdose victim. Getting help is the right thing to do any time someone’s life is at risk.

Just Think Twice contributed to this article.

Talbot Partnership encourages parents to talk to your children about the dangers of someone overdosing on drugs or alcohol.  

For further information on the dangers of alcohol and other drugs, contact Talbot Partnership Caring for Our Community at 410-819-8067. Please also visit our website at www.talbotpartnership.org or find us on Facebook.