OPIOIDS & OVERDOSE

Opioids are a class of narcotic medications that a doctor may prescribe to relieve pain; Oxycontin, Codeine, Morphine, Vicodin, Demerol & Percocet are all legal medications you may receive from a doctor.

Illegal opioids include street drugs like Heroin and synthetic opiates such as Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl & Carfentanil.

While pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short period of time, under a doctors supervision, they are frequently misused. Regular use of these pain killers, even when prescribed by a doctor, can result in dependence.

Why are opioids dangerous?

Opioids are designed to relieve pain, but when taken in excess the body's automatic drive to breathe is diminished. Mixing an opiate with alcohol and/or benzodiazepines can increase your risk for overdose as these substances also slow your respiratory system.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine, is a major driver of recent opioid overdose deaths present in 86% of overdose deaths in CT in 2022.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is the lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug. It is a short acting medication that can reverse a lethal dosage of opioids by temporarily blocking the effects of the drug. This revives the person, restoring their breathing & allowing time to access medical attention.

Naloxone comes in various forms and can be administered into the muscle or as a nasal spray. Naloxone Nasal Spray is the version you will typically receive from a pharmacist or community distributer.

Is Naloxone safe?

Naloxone has little, to no side effects if administered in error to someone not experiencing an overdose. Naloxone is harmless because it will only function when an opioid is present within the body.

Where to get Naloxone:

Naloxone is now available to everyone, friends, neighbors, family members are encouraged to receive training and carry a kit. The price of Naloxone varies depending on the source.

Through a prescription and with insurance coverage, most customers end up paying a small co-pay between $10-$25.

Naloxone is now available over the counter without a prescription for about $45 per box.

Naloxone is also available through QVHD and other harm reduction providers in Greater New Haven FREE of charge.

Signs of an Overdose:

Look for your A, B, C’s:

Alert: unresponsive, minimally responsive

Breathing: shallow, noisy or not breathing at all

Color: blue, gray, or purple discoloration of fingernails or lips

Other signs: known substance user, syringes, baggies, powders, pills, pinpoint pupils, loud uneven snoring or gurgling noises.

Steps for Response:

1. Try to wake the person; call their name & shake them.

2. If no response, call 9-1-1 immediately.

3. Lay them on their back, tilt their head back, insert Naloxone (narcan) nozzle into their nostril and press firmly on the plunger.

4. If not breathing, provide rescue breathing (9-1-1 operator will guide you - use a face shield if available).

   5. If no response after 2-3 minutes, repeat step 3 and provide a second dose.

   1. Continue rescue breathing until their breathing resumes or EMS responds.

   2. If you must step away, place the person on their side (recovery position)

Click here for a step by step instructional guide in English & Spanish.

To learn more about responding to an overdose using Naloxone, watch the video below: Overdose Response Using Naloxone

With the goal of saving lives, a law known as the 911 Good Samaritan Act was passed in 2011 aiming to persuade people who may be reluctant to contact emergency personnel when witnessing a drug overdose. The law protects the person calling 9-1-1., the individual responding & administering Naloxone, as well as the individual experiencing a suspected overdose, from civil liability & criminal prosecution, giving them immunity despite the presence of illicit drugs or paraphernalia present on the scene.

*Note: The Good Samaritan law does not protect someone from other charges or pre-existing warrants.

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs. (National Harm Reduction Coalition, 2023)

Harm reduction is a growing movement in the Greater New Haven area with local outreach teams meeting people where they are with services such as HIV, HEP C screening, syringe exchange, Naloxone and other supplies designed to keep people who use drugs healthy.

Local harm reduction providers include:

Yale’s Syringe Service Program: Provides free confidential adults services including primary care, STD screening, syringe exchange, drug testing, drug treatment & mental health consultation:

Call or Text Rolo Jr for their schedule: (203) 823-0743

CT Harm Reduction Alliance / SWAN: Call for their schedule in New Haven, 203-935-5701

BRIDGES Mobile Addiction Treatment Team: peer support & Suboxone prescribing - mobile van throughout New Haven County - call/text for schedule or support. 203-494-5811.

Substance Use Disorder is recognized as a chronic brain disease caused by a combination of behavioral, environmental and biological factors. Like cancer and diabetes, substance use disorder requires treatment. Providing support to people with substance use disorder is critical.

Stigma, the negative perception commonly associated with addiction, often prevents people from seeking help. Addiction is a treatable, chronic disease that can be managed successfully. Multiple evidence based approaches have been identified.

Shatterproof recently launched their Connecticut Treatment Atlas designed to help anyone seeking care for themselves or a loved one navigate to the appropriate type of care.

Visit their website, take a quiz and be connected to a local treatment provider.

Treatment Options Include:

-Medication Assisted Treatment (Methadone, Buprenorphine) Click here to learn about the gold standard of treatment, MAT

-Individual and group counseling

-Inpatient and residential treatment

-Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP)

-Partial hospital programs

-Case or care management

-Recovery support services

-12-Step fellowship

-Peer supports

Everyone has medications in their home and all medications come with risks. Medication is to be taken as prescribed, by the person it is prescribed for and stored away to prevent diversion or misuse.

Regularly clean out your medicine cabinets of any unneeded or expired medications and safely dispose of them either at the bi-annual take back events that occur at the end of April & October or by visiting your local police station and utilizing their medication drop boxes. Essentially, area police stations have mailboxes in their lobbies for unneeded meds - accessible 24/7 no questions asked.

Local Medication Drop Boxes Include:

• Bethany CSP Troop 1, 631 Amity Road, Bethany CT

• Hamden Police Station, 2900 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden CT

• New Haven Police Station, 1 Union Avenue, New Haven CT

• North Haven Police Station, 18 Church Street North Haven CT

• Woodbridge Police Station, 4 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge CT

Full list of CT Medication Drop Boxes

**NOTE: Drop Boxes do NOT accept: Thermometers, hypodermic needled and sharps, bloody or infectious waste, hydrogen peroxide, non-prescription ointments and lotions, aerosol cans, or inhalers*