Fighting the Drug Overdose Epidemic: Awareness and Tips

The U.S. is facing a drug epidemic. The CDC states that overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury-related death, the majority of which involve illicitly synthesized opioids. Overdoses can happen for a variety of reasons, from the misuse of prescription drugs to the use of recreational drugs.

When approaching large-scale music festivals and raves — whether it’s for the first time or the fifth time — staying aware and safe can be the key to saving someone’s life.

If you’re not familiar, we’re laying out the basics of fentanyl, the signs of an overdose, and what you should do if you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid — made in a lab rather than extracted from opium poppy plants.

Illicitly synthesized fentanyl is often named as the cause of overdoses as it’s cheap to manufacture. It’s often used to stretch out a supply of drugs without sacrificing the high people expect.

Fentanyl is 50x stronger than heroin and 100x stronger than morphine. This makes it easier to overdose on a smaller amount, and blindly mixing it with other substances can lead to unintended effects.

Naloxone is a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. It commonly comes in two forms: an injectable dose and an intranasal spray, often known as Narcan.

Naloxone is often prescribed to people who are also prescribed opioids to reverse unintentional overdoses. Some festival organizers and organizations such as End Overdose also distribute Naloxone across the nation.

There are no side effects from using naloxone on someone who isn’t experiencing an overdose, so it’s better safe than sorry.

It can be hard to distinguish between someone enjoying a high and someone experiencing an overdose.

Common signs of an opioid overdose include:

• Unresponsive or entirely unconscious
• Slowed/stopped breathing
• Snoring or gurgling sounds
• Cold, clammy skin
• Discolored blue or purple lips and fingernails

If you’ve determined that someone is having an overdose follow these steps:

• Call 911.
• Administer Naloxone. Many festivals will distribute Narcan, which is easy to deliver.
• If their breathing has stopped, you may need to start rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth), or find someone nearby who can.
• Put the person into a recovery position. Lay them on their side and cross their top arm and leg over their body, to keep them from choking.
• Stay with them until help arrives. Naloxone’s effects wear off between 30 – 90 minutes. If it’s taking a while or you think they’re still experiencing overdose symptoms, give them more Naloxone.

When you’re attending a rave or festival, make sure you know where the medical tent is. Many organizers will have a designated area where you can easily access onsite medics, and some will even distribute Naloxone to attendees.

Check the rules and policies before each event. If you’re attending with a group of friends, make a plan to check in with each other and know where everyone is throughout the event.

Learn more about the drug epidemic and what we can do to stop it, visit End Overdose, the CDC, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information and additional resources.