By Annette Pinder

More than 200 people die from an overdose of drugs or alcohol poisoning every day, with opioids responsible for the majority of these fatalities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2017 over 47,000 people lost their lives due to opioid overdose.

While prescription opioids are often used to treat chronic and acute pain effectively, there are serious side effects associated with their use that affect all socioeconomic groups, including misuse, opioid use disorder (addiction), overdoses, and death. Levenia Baker, PharmD., of Greater Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare Network (GBUAHN), says that recognizing the signs and knowing how to respond to medical emergencies, including carrying and administering naloxone in cases of opioid overdose, can save lives. “If you can identify an overdose or alcohol poisoning, you are more likely to react quickly, making the difference between life and death for a family member, friend or stranger,” says Dr. Baker.

She encourages everyone to recognize the following signs of an overdose or alcohol poisoning and to call 911 immediately if a person shows any of these symptoms:

• Trouble breathing and/ or a heartbeat that slows or stops
• Unconsciousness or extreme sleepiness
• Vomiting or gurgling noises
• Fingernails or lips that have turned a purple or a blue color
• Are unable to speak or cannot be awakened
• Body has gone limp
• Low body temperature

Dr. Baker says that if an opioid overdose is suspected, naloxone should be administered immediately, if available. Naloxone is administered by injection or nasal spray and access to it is available over the counter at many pharmacies. She says, “What we really need to help combat the opioid overdose epidemic, is for everyone to consider themselves a first responder by carrying naloxone when appropriate and knowing how to use it. Naloxone can mean the difference between life and death, as well as be the catalyst for getting someone the help they need to put them on a path toward recovery.”

Anyone who takes opioids to manage their pain may be at-risk for an overdose. In recent years, opioids were the go-to pain reliever for everything from backaches and injuries to post-surgical and chronic pain. In 2017, more than 190 million prescriptions were written for opioids. Every day 130 people die from opioid overdoses.

To learn more on opioid overdose and steps for first responders, see https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/five-essential-steps-for-first-responders.pdf. For local behavioral health providers visit https://gbuacoprovidernetwork.org.