Health Department Offers Advice to Heroin Users, Their Friends and Families Due to Recent Spike in Overdoses

Over the July 4 weekend, five heroin overdoses were reported in Lake County communities. All five victims were revived by first responding police officers via the use of naloxone, the opioid overdose antidote. This is a substantial spike in overdoses within a short period of time related to heroin. All five victims were revived; however, the amount of overdoses in a short period of time should be of great concern to the communities across Chicago and the collar counties. Heroin is an extremely dangerous drug that can easily lead to death by overdose.

Immediately dial 911 if you suspect an individual is overdosing. The Good Samaritan Law provides protection to people who call 911 to report drug overdoses. This law is intended to encourage people to report drug overdoses as soon as possible, even if drugs are present at the scene.

Symptoms of an overdose include: the person is awake but unable to talk, body is very limp, face is very pale or clammy, fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black. For lighter skinned people, the skin tone turns bluish purple, for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen. Other signs include breathing that is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped, pulse (heartbeat) that is slow, erratic, or not there at all, choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise, vomiting , and loss of consciousness. The best way of seeing if a person is conscious is by rubbing your knuckles very hard up and down the breastbone. If they do not respond they are considered "unresponsive" and you should call 911.

Friends and family who have loved ones using heroin or other opiates illegally can suggest that they seek treatment. The Lake County Health Department has inpatient and outpatient substance abuse programs that can help people learn to live drug free. Services can be accessed by calling 847-377-8200. Other treatment providers are available in the area. Friends and family members can also share this article with the person they know or suspect is using drugs.

Concerned friends and family should also consider receiving training on giving naloxone, an overdose antidote. If you are a patient at any Lake County Health Department program you are eligible to be trained on naloxone and receive a free auto-injector. Call 847-377-8120 to get trained. If you are not a patient at any Lake County Health Department Program these same services are available at Live4Lali's Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Distribution Program. Contact Live4Lali at 844-584-5254 or Info@Live4Lali.org.

People should call 911 immediately in the event of a suspected overdose. Being trained to provide naloxone is also a good idea if you know someone who uses heroin, or if you yourself use drugs. Heroin use is extremely dangerous, and the Health Department strongly recommends that anyone who uses heroin should seek treatment. However, in the event that someone refuses to seek treatment and continues to use heroin, they should at least consider these suggestions for lessening the risk of overdose:

• Use only one drug at a time.

• Don't mix heroin with alcohol or benzos (benzodiazepines).

• Use less of each drug. Particularly if you haven't used for a while or just got out of jail or are sick, your chances of overdosing are greater because your tolerance is lower.

• Test the strength of the drug before you do the whole amount.

• If you inject, try and remove the tie after registering and before injecting--this will allow you to better taste your shot and inject less if it feels too strong.

• Don't use alone. One person should use the drug first; if that person overdoses, the other person can help save them.

For more information, visit: http://health.lakecountyil.gov/Behavioral/Pages/Outpatient-Substance-Abuse-Program.aspx.