It can be difficult to tell if a person is high/intoxicated from heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain relievers, or if the person is actually overdosing. Please read the following information on how to tell the difference. If you are still
unsure, use caution and treat the situation as an overdose.
High
Pupils will contract and appear small (pinpoint pupils)
They may “not be out of it”, but are still breathing
Speech may be slurred
They will be out of it but they WILL respond to stimuli (sternal rub).
Overdose
Skin, lips, or nails turn bluish purple (lighter skin tone) or grayish or ashen (darker skin tone)
Slow or shallow breathing, or not breathing at all
Choking sounds or snore-like gurgling noise (“death rattle”) – if it is unusual for a loved one to snore, this may be sign or overdosing
UNRESPONSIVE to sternal rub or shouting their name
Responding to an Overdose
If overdose is suspected follow instructions to Save A Life
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and can easily be administered by anyone with some basic training.
1 Try to wake the person up
2 Call 911
3 Administer nasal naloxone
4 Check for breathing
5 Stay with the person
“A person acting in good faith who seeks medical assistance for an individual experiencing a drug-related overdose may not be charged, prosecuted, or penalized...” FS 893.21
DON’T slap or try to forcefully stimulate the person—it will only cause further injury. If you are unable to wake the person by shouting, rubbing
your knuckles on the sternum (center of the chest or rib cage), or light pinching, they may be unconscious.
DON’T put the person into a cold bath or shower. This increases the risk of falling, drowning, or going into shock.
DON’T inject the person with any substance (saltwater, milk, “speed,” heroin, etc.). The only safe and appropriate treatment is naloxone.
DON’T try to make the person vomit drugs that they may have swallowed. Choking or inhaling vomit into the lungs can cause a fatal injury.
Good Samaritan
Some protections are provided to individuals who experience an overdose and are in need of medical attention and to those that seek help for someone experiencing an overdose.
Some pharmacies in Florida operate under non-patient specific standing orders, allowing people to purchase naloxone directly from a pharmacy without first needing to get an individual prescription from their doctor. Call
your pharmacy first to make sure they operate under a standing order and have naloxone in stock.
