To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE
There is concern about clusters of drug related harm including both near-fatal overdoses and deaths. As a result, Scottish Drugs Forum have launched refreshed information and resources to raise awareness of the signs of overdose and how we can reduce risk.
People have reported sudden collapse after injecting or smoking heroin with rapid onset into overdose and multiple repeat doses of naloxone being required to reverse overdose.
Currently, these incidents involve people who were smoking or injecting drugs bought or sold as heroin. They are known to have occurred across Scotland in multiple health board areas however the nature of the drug supply in Scotland means that people in all areas may be at increased risk of harm.
Tragically, over 1000 people lose their lives to overdose each year in Scotland. In emerging clusters of harm, it can be difficult to identify cases where there may be a specific common theme however there is a concern that there is continued contamination of the heroin supply by drugs such as nitazenes, a potent opioid drug which is often many times stronger than heroin, increasing the risk of overdose and death. Further testing is underway to determine the specific drugs involved in these clusters.
WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO
Consider accessing treatment. Being in treatment is a protective factor against overdose. Please contact your local treatment service, details of which can be found at Scottish Drugs Services Directory.
People using all drugs, but particularly heroin, should:
- Carry naloxone and make sure it is available when using drugs
- Make sure you can recognise an overdose and know what to do (see below)
- Don’t use alone. If possible, have someone with you who can respond in an emergency
- If using with other people – stagger your drug use leaving time between each person to make sure that if something in your heroin causes a rapid overdose another person can assist
- Try to avoid knowingly mixing substances. This can be challenging when there are often multiple substances in one drug, but combining drugs including alcohol and prescribed medications increases overdose risk.
HOW TO RECOGNISE AN OVERDOSE
Act if you see ANY of these signs of an overdose
People have reported seeing or experiencing:
- Sudden collapse
- Unresponsiveness (no reaction to shaking or shouting)
- Snoring or noisy breathing
- Blue or pale lips and skin
* Signs of an overdose may also include shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils and seizures or fits (recently reported in combination with some or all of the above).
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING AN OVERDOSE
- Call 999 immediately
- Ask for an ambulance and tell them it may be an overdose. Follow the instructions of the call handler which may include giving first aid.
- Administer naloxone (if available)
- Naloxone temporarily reverses opioid overdoses, buying time until medical help arrives.
- Where to get naloxone: Free naloxone kits are available in Scotland, along with training. Visit www.stopthedeaths.com for more information.
- How to use naloxone: Naloxone should be given to anyone who is unresponsive and displaying the signs of an overdose. You may need to administer more repeat doses than usual, leaving 2-3 minutes between doses.
Scottish Drugs Forum CEO Kirsten Horsburgh shared the concern being expressed across the country ‘We are keen that people who use drugs and their families and friends are aware of the risk, and what they can do to reduce that risk. There is nothing unique here in terms of what can be done. Please try to avoid using alone and make sure naloxone is available. Make sure you know how to recognise a possible overdose and what you can do to help. In the absence of local drug checking services, we would encourage people to send samples to WEDINOS. Staff in services in contact with people who use drugs can raise awareness of our shared concern and what people can do to protect themselves and others.’
FURTHER HELP AND INFORMATION
To view and/or download the overdose alert resource – CLICK HERE