An opioid overdose can be identified by:
• Heavy intoxication, lethargy
• Pale skin, lips/fingernails ‘bluish’ tinge
• Pinpoint pupils (not with everyone)
• No response to noise or touch – ‘unrousable’
• Loss of consciousness
• Breathing problems e.g. slow/shallow breathing, heavy snoring/rasping breaths or not breathing at all

How to respond to an opioid overdose:
• Assess danger from needles or bystanders. Remove anything that may cause injury
• See if they are rousable by shaking shoulders or rubbing knuckles up and down sternum
• Seek medical assistance, call an ambulance
• Check airways and that they are breathing
• If not breathing use an AED if available and carry out CPR

o Naloxone can be administered if signs of opioid overdose are present (and if the person is trained in the use of Naloxone)
o Once breathing place in recovery position
o Wait with patient and reassure and monitor until help arrives

If breathing place in recovery position
o Naloxone can be administered if signs of opioid overdose are present (and if the person is trained in the use of Naloxone)
o Wait with patient and reassure and monitor until help arrives

A stimulant overdose can be identified by:
o Chest pain with pounding heart
o Shaking and seizures
o Sweating and hyperactive.
o Raised body temperature with hot and flushed skin
o Breathing can be rapid with body chills
o Disorientation, irritability, anxious or erratic behaviour may be seen

How to respond to a person who has taken a stimulant over dose.
o Assess danger from needles or bystanders. Remove anything that may cause injury
o Seek medical assistance, call an ambulance
o Reassure if disorientated, loosen clothing and move person away from stimulations
o Call person name to check response. Shake shoulders or rub knuckles up and down sternum
o Put person in recovery position and monitor