Important steps you can take to prevent overdose
In 2017, 761 people in Baltimore lost their lives to overdose. They were friends, parents, children, and valued members of our community. Most of the overdoses were due to opioids, especially fentanyl. If you or a loved one uses drugs, there are important steps you can take to prevent overdose.
Know the signs and get naloxone:
- Learn to recognize the signs of an overdose.
- Get naloxone. Naloxone is a safe, easy to use medication that reverses an opioid overdose. It is available without a prescription throughout Maryland. Find a naloxone training near you.
Practice safe drug use to reduce your risk of overdose:
- Carry naloxone.
- Don’t use alone and take turns.
- Do a tester shot and go slow.
- Test your drugs. Fentanyl is commonly sold in heroin, but it can be in other drugs as well. Fentanyl testing strips are available on the Baltimore Needle Exchange van.
Call 911 if you witness an overdose:
Under Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law if you help someone who is overdosing:
- You cannot be arrested or charged for possession of small amounts of drugs, paraphernalia or providing alcohol to minors.
- Your parole and probation status will not be affected.
- You MUST be helping the individual who is overdosing for this law to apply to you.