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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
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More than 240 people die in the U.S. every day as a result of drug overuse. (source: CDC, April 2021)
When you donate your used goods to a Salvation Army thrift store, you help fund rehabilitation programs that assist individuals struggling with substance abuse.
For mental health crisis services dial 988.
If this is a medical emergency, please dial 911.
History
In 2001, Sally Finn was managing a needle and syringe program for The Salvation Army in St Kilda, Australia, when the idea for Overdose Awareness Day was born. Sally’s vision was simply to hold a local event so friends and family could come together, remember, and support one another. Since those humble beginnings, Sally's idea has become a global event held annually on August 31st. The aim of this day is to raise awareness of overdose and overdose prevention, remember those who have died from overdose without stigma, and acknowledge the grief felt by loved ones impacted by overdose.
Since 2012, International Overdose Awareness Day has been coordinated by the not-for-profit Australian public health organization.
Overdose Basics 101
Source: Overdoseday.com
What is an Overdose?
An overdose means having more of a drug (or combination of drugs) than your body can cope with. There are a number of signs and symptoms that show someone has overdosed, and these differ with the type of drug used. All drugs can cause an overdose, including prescription medication prescribed by a doctor. It is important to know the right amount and the right time to take your medication. It is also vital to know what drugs should not be mixed, and to seek help if you feel you are not in control of your drug use.
First Aid for Drug Overdose
A range of signs and symptoms can occur when a person overdoses, and everyone responds differently. Signs and symptoms depend on a variety of factors including which drug is taken, the amount taken and the person’s state of health at the time.
If you can’t get a response from someone, do not assume they are asleep. Sometimes it can take hours for someone who has overdosed to die.
An overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Always call an ambulance if you suspect someone has overdosed.
People are often reluctant to call an ambulance for fear of police involvement or concern about the cost of a call-out. However, you should always call an ambulance if you suspect someone is at risk of overdose. In many places, the police will only attend if there is a fatality or other circumstances warranting police attendance, such as a threat to the ambulance crew.
Seeking emergency help isn’t just for when someone is unconscious. You should also seek emergency help when someone is:
- Having a seizure.
- Experiencing severe headache.
- Experiencing chest pain.
- Experiencing breathing difficulties.
- Extremely paranoid, agitated, and/or confused.
It is not necessary for someone to have all of these signs or symptoms for them to be overdosing. Exhibiting one or two could still mean they are in trouble and need emergency help.
Snoring and gurgling can indicate that a person is having trouble breathing.
With substance use, especially substances that slow down the systems of the body (eg: benzodiazepines, opioids, GHB), snoring may indicate a serious and potentially life-threatening obstruction of the airway.
In the context of substance use, snoring is not something that should be seen as “normal”. Don’t let someone “sleep it off” if they are snoring; this may be a sign of a significant and life-threatening emergency. You should attempt to wake them immediately.
If they do wake up, then the snoring (airway obstruction) will resolve. If they do not wake up, call emergency services and ask for an ambulance. Follow the instructions from the operator (you will probably be asked to roll the snoring person onto their side and open their mouth to maximize airflow).
Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) is the drug used by paramedics to revive people who have had an opioid overdose. Naloxone can cause withdrawal symptoms and a powerful urge to take more of the drug that led to the overdose. Anyone who has been revived using naloxone should understand the risks involved in taking more drugs afterward. Taking more drugs after being administered naloxone can result in a second overdose. This is because the half-life of naloxone (60-90 minutes) is considerably less than heroin and morphine. Drugs like methadone and sustained-release opioids such as oxycodone (brand name OxyContin) release doses of the drug slowly over 12 hours or more. So, the effect of naloxone will wear off long before those drugs have left a person’s system.
Requirements for ARC: Adult Rehabilitation Centers
The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers are 180-day residential work-therapy programs providing spiritual, social, and emotional assistance to those who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves.
The program* has no fee for those who meet the following criteria (insurance is not necessary):
- Are adults ages 21-65*
- Have an official picture ID that is not expired
- Have a Social Security card or birth certificate
- Pass a drug test and breathalyzer upon arrival
- Are not registered sex offenders
- Provide a negative TB skin test that was taken in the past year (If you have not had one, we will assist you in getting one once you arrive.)
- Able to perform a work therapy assignment for eight hours a day
- Will attend classes and worship services
- Application and phone interview may be required
*Requirements may vary based on location.
Get help for yourself or a loved one today.
To learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day and how you can help, go to www.overdoseday.com