Be Prepared - Know The Dangers

Overdoses can happen quickly. And when they occur, every minute counts. If you know how to spot an overdose and what to do, you can save lives. 

Spot An Overdose

An opioid overdose requires immediate medical attention. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately, and give a precise address and/or description of your location.

Here's What Happens, Step By Step:

1. The brain stem is suppressed and stops sending the signal to breathe.
2. Breathing becomes slow, shallow, and irregular, resulting in a gurgling or snoring sound.
3. Blood oxygen levels drop, and the body stops getting the oxygen it needs.
4. The person loses consciousness because the brain in lacking oxygen.
5. The person becomes unresponsive and cannot be woken up.
6. Lips, fingernails, and skin turn bluish or purple. This is a classic sign of overdose.
7. The heart can stop. If breathing stops, the heart eventually runs out of oxygen, and cardiac arrest follows.

All of this can happen in minutes.

That's what makes opioid overdoses so deadly: they can go from drowsy to fatal in a very short time, especially with potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Naloxone Makes Saving Lives Easy

Naloxone, also known as NARCAN®, is a drug that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. Even better, it’s easy to come by, legal to carry, and everyone can use it.

How It Works

When a person experiencing an overdose is given naloxone, the opioids get knocked off the receptors, and normal brain functions can resume. That means the person can breathe again and won’t die from lack of oxygen. However, they will still need immediate medical attention. Always call 911 first and then administer naloxone.

How To Use It (Injection)

	Call 911 Immediately If you’re with someone else, have them call while you begin the next steps.
	Prepare Naloxone Draw all fluid from the vial very slowly. Make sure it is filled with liquid, not air.​
	Administer Naloxone Inject into large muscle. Push down until syringe is empty.
	Check for Breathing If breathing, put person in recovery position. (Hand supports head. Knee stops body from rolling onto stomach.) If NOT breathing, give rescue breaths until help arrives. Tilt head back, pinch nostrils closed, give 1 breath every 5 seconds.
	Wait 3 Minutes If there’s no change administer another dose of naloxone and continue rescue breathing.

NOTES: Stay calm and don’t inject any stimulants. Don’t put them in the bathtub/shower, and don’t stand them up. Naloxone has no psychoactive or adverse effects.

How To Use It (Nasal Spray)

	Call 911 Immediately If you’re with someone else, have them call while you begin the next steps.
	Prepare Naloxone Hold the device with your thumb on the plunger.
	Administer Naloxone Place the tip in the nostril and press the plunger firmly.
	Check for Breathing If breathing, put person in recovery position. (Hand supports head. Knee stops body from rolling onto stomach.) If NOT breathing, give rescue breaths until help arrives. Tilt head back, pinch nostrils closed, give 1 breath every 5 seconds.
	Wait 3 Minutes If there’s no change administer another dose of naloxone and continue rescue breathing.

NOTES: Stay calm and don’t inject any stimulants. Don’t put them in the bathtub/shower, and don’t stand them up. Naloxone has no psychoactive or adverse effects.

​​See three ways to get naloxone near you.

Find Naloxone 

Saving Lives Is Always Legal

In Minnesota, the Good Samaritan Law protects everyone who helps in an overdose situation from legal trouble. Even if you have drug paraphernalia like pipes, syringes, or needles on you, you won’t get prosecuted for that. This law, also known as “Steve’s Law,” was passed to encourage everyone to step up and save lives without worrying about legal consequences.

What's Steve's Law? In 2014, the State of Minnesota passed the Good Samaritan Law, also known as Steve’s Law, to encourage people to assist in emergencies without fear of getting into legal trouble. This helps to reduce overdose deaths in our communities.

What Does It Mean? Saving lives is always the right thing to do, and no one should get into trouble for it. When you help in an overdose situation, you cannot be arrested or prosecuted. Even if you have drugs or drug paraphernalia on you.

What Should You Do? Naloxone is legal to carry in Minnesota, and you should always have it with you. When you witness someone overdosing, call 911, administer NARCAN®, and stay with them until the ambulance arrives. No worries, it’s really legal!