A little library of overdose prevention and overdose response resources created by us and other harm reduction groups. Below you will find these resources categorized into the following topics: overdose prevention, overdose, and overamping.
~Overdose Prevention~
Safety Planning
- Video Narcan Training > Watch our virtual narcan training to learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Video by Southside Harm Reduction Services
- Safe Use Tips > Some tips from us for you around safer use, because we love you! Written by Southside Harm Reduction Services
- Survival Strategies While Using Drugs Alone, From People Who Use Drugs > This guide was created by Project SAFE, a Philadelphia-based mutual aid harm reduction collective for women, queer, and trans people who use drugs and do sex work. This guide aims to uplift the voices of people who use drugs and educate others about the contexts of their lives, strategies employed for survival in the midst of a fatal overdose crisis, and suggestions for improvements to harm reduction and public health messaging with regards to never use drugs alone.
Testing
- How To Use *DANCE SAFE’S* Fentanyl Test Strips > DanceSafe’s new fentanyl test strips can detect fentanyl and most of its known analogs in any drug sample. Unlike other strips on the market, they do not produce false positives with meth, MDMA, or cocaine. This is because they utilize a superior antibody with greater specificity to fentanyl. As a result, DanceSafe fentanyl test strips are the most reliable strips on the market for drug checking and harm reduction purposes. Written by Dance Safe
- How to use *RAPID RESPONSE* Fentanyl Test Strips > Fentanyl testing handout to for PWUD and healthcare providers. Written by California Department of Health
~Overdose~
- Overdose Intervention Response and Card > A poster/card to have on you that can assist you in identifying an opioid overdose and respond appropriately. Includes information on rescue breathing and naloxone administration. Created by Chicago Recovery Alliance
- Using a Pulse Oximeter During an Overdose > Due to tranquilizers becoming a common cut in the opioid drug supply, a person who is not responsive may be under the effect of a drug such as xylazine. Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer that causes heavy sedation. Some people have reported blacking out for up to six hours at a time. Because naloxone does not affect tranquilizers, using evaluation techniques and a pulse oximeter will support your overdose response. It’s essential to administer naloxone if you believe they are experiencing an opioid overdose. Created by NextDistro
- Instructional Sheet for Rescue Breathing > New Mexico Department of Health Instructional Sheet for Rescue Breathing
~Overamping~
- Overamping > Overstimulation known as “overamping” is the name used when we are talking about a stimulant overdose. In this resource, NextDistro shares what to do when you are experiencing a stimulant overdose, how to recognize what is happening, and when it is a medical emergency. Written by NextDistro