International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31 is International Drug Overdose Awareness Day. This is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. This is a day to remember those we have lost and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that more than one million people have died since 1999 from a drug overdose. In 2021, 106,699 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States.

“Wichita Mountains Prevention Network wants to help educate others on the prevention of overdoses, but also what to do if an overdose occurs.” says Gina Olheiser, Community Based Coalition Prevention Coordinator for WMPN.

The following tips from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can help you or a loved one avoid opioid overdose:

Preventing Opioid Overdose

Take medication prescribed by your doctor.

Do not take more medication or take it more often than prescribed.

Never mix pain medication with alcohol, sleeping pills, or illicit substances.

Never take anyone else’s medication.

Prevent children and pets from accidental ingestion by storing your medication out of reach. WMPN can also provide a free lockbox for your family to safely store your medication.

Dispose of unused medication safely by dropping it off at a drop off location in your area or at a Drug Take Back Event.

Recognizing Opioid Overdose

Call 911 immediately if a person shows ANY of the following symptoms:

Their face is extremely pale and/or feel clammy to the touch.

Their body goes limp.

Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color.

They start vomiting or making gurgling noises.

They cannot be woken up or are unable to speak.

Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops.

Signs and Symptoms of an Opioid Overdose (Oklahoma State Department of Health)

It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose- you could save a life.

Call 911 immediately.*

Administer naloxone, if available.

Try to keep the person awake and breathing.

Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.

Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.

*A Good Samaritan law (63 O.S. 2-413.1) was enacted in Oklahoma to provide immunity, under certain circumstances, to individuals seeking medical attention for someone who has overdosed

Wichita Mountains Prevention Network (WMPN) is a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe communities through promoting proven substance abuse prevention strategies among teens and adults. WMPN is grant funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. For more information, please contact Community Based Coalition Prevention Coordinator, Gina Olheiser at golheiser@wmpn.org, and follow WMPN on Facebook. You can also find resources at www.wmpn.org