HARM REDUCTION
WHAT IS HARM REDUCTION?
Harm reduction methods are proven ways to reduce fatal opioid overdose or illness. These are actions people can take to reduce the dangers of using both prescription and non-prescription opioids.
WHY DOES IT WORK?
Harm reduction helps lower the risk of opioid overdoses in two ways:
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Giving medicine like Naloxone to reverse overdose effects
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Teaching people how to use opioids safely and spot when someone has overdosed.
WHAT IS AN OPIOID?
Opioids are a class of medicines prescribed by healthcare providers to treat severe pain. These include:​
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Morphine
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Oxycodone (an ingredient in medications such as Roxicodone®, OxyContin®, and Percocet®)
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Hydrocodone (an ingredient in medications such as Norco®, Vicodin®, and Lortabs®)
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Hydromorphine (an ingredient in Dilaudid®)
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Codeine (an ingredient in Tylenol® #3 and Tylenol® #4)
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Opioids can also be found and used outside of medical settings in the form of street fentanyl and heroin.
PREVENTING AN OVERDOSE
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Use prescription opioids as prescribed by a healthcare provider
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Avoid sharing opioids with others
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Make sure a trusted person is available to check on anyone using opioids in ways that are different than how a doctor prescribed
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If no one is available, https://neverusealone.com is a free service that provides judgement-free periodic check-ins
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Avoid using opioids with other medications unless approved by a doctor (other drugs, such as medications for sleep or alcohol, can greatly increase risk of overdose)
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Dispose of unused opioids or other medications when they are no longer needed
RECOGNIZING AN OVERDOSE
Recognize the 6 main signs of overdose:
UNCONSIOUS OR UNRESPONSIVE
SLOW OR SHALLOW BREATHING
PINPOINT PUPILS
GASPING OR GURGLING
SLOW HEARTBEAT OR LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
COLD OR DISCOLORED SKIN (VARIES BY SKIN TONE)
CALL 911 AND ADMINISTER NALOXONE (NARCAN) IF YOU SEE THESE SIGNS
REVERSING AN OVERDOSE
Naloxone (Narcan®)
Naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses.
It comes in two forms:
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Nasal spray (Narcan®)
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Muscle shot (Intramuscular naloxone).
Naloxone (Narcan®) works by directly blocking opioids from finding their target in the body.
