Students can be equipped with skills to create healthier, safer communities. Whether it’s taking note of a friend’s concerning behavior or discussing the importance of mental health in the classroom, preparedness is a critical component of protecting the health of those in your school community.
When it comes to preventing drug overdoses, being prepared means equipping middle and high school students, teachers, coaches, and community members with the knowledge to identify signs of a drug overdose and the skills and tools needed to respond quickly and effectively.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is reaching out to SHAPE America members to help students and their broader communities respond to opioid overdoses throughout the year.
What Can Students Do?
One of the most important tools for responding to an opioid overdose is an opioid overdose reversal medication, which rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and restores breathing. There are currently two opioid overdose reversal medications available, naloxone (or Narcan) and nalmefene.
Nasal spray versions of naloxone and nalmefene are available and can be carried and administered by anyone. Naloxone is available as an over-the-counter medication. Knowing how to use overdose reversal medications allows students to respond and save the life of a person experiencing an overdose, whether among their peers, in their community, or at home.
Overdoses Among Teens Have Increased
The percentage of teens reporting they used any illicit substances in 2023 continued to hold steady below the pre-pandemic levels reported in 2020. However, there has been a dramatic rise in overdose deaths among teens. From 2019 to 2021, the number of overdose deaths among teens ages 15-19 more than doubled. Specifically in 2021, 1,714 teens died of a drug overdose, with illicit fentanyl involved in 1,364 of those deaths.
To put that into perspective, 1,714 is about half the number of teens (13-19 years old) who died in motor vehicle crashes that same year. Fentanyl is a powerful, cheap opioid that is now found in much of the U.S. illicit drug supply, making drug use even more dangerous than it has been in the past. Fentanyl is mixed with other drugs, including illicit pills, and even trace amounts can be fatal.
What Is an Overdose?
An overdose can occur when a person consumes more of a drug than their body can handle. When this happens, the substance or medications that were taken can prevent the brain and other organs from functioning as they would normally. This can lead to severe symptoms like respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, and death. Overdoses can occur with various substances, including opioids and stimulants, and can be accidental or intentional.
Risk increases when substances are combined. When an individual is experiencing a drug overdose, every second matters, and timely medical intervention is vital to save lives.
Recognizing an Overdose
It is important to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose in others, as a quick response can save a person’s life. Look for:
- Small, pinpoint pupils
- Slow, shallow, or no breathing
- An inability to speak or lack of responsiveness
- Pale skin (for lighter skinned people, the skin tone turns bluish purple; for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen)
Responding to an Overdose
Recognizing an opioid overdose can be difficult. If you aren’t sure, it’s best to treat the situation like an overdose. Follow these steps:
- Call 911 and follow the directions emergency responders provide.
- Administer naloxone if available.
- Do your best to keep the person awake and breathing.
- If they stop breathing or are breathing very weakly, rescue breaths can provide needed oxygen. Start administering rescue breaths, if you feel comfortable doing them. If you are unsure how to administer rescue breaths, follow the instructions of the 911 operator.
- If for any reason you need to leave the person unattended, place them on their side with their top leg bent (in the recovery position).
How to Use Overdose Reversal Medications
Overdose reversal medications like naloxone can be easily administered through the nose. This FDA-approved medicine is sprayed into the nostrils while the person is lying on their back. Naloxone rapidly reverses an opioid overdose and can restore normal breathing within 2-3 minutes, but it lasts only 30-90 minutes.
If naloxone is given to someone who does not have opioids in their system, it will not harm them, so it’s always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately.
While overdose reversal medications are a critical intervention tool, they are not a substitute for professional care. Swift, professional help is essential for complete overdose management.
Use NIDA Resources for Science-Based Information About Drug Use and Health
NIDA offers valuable resources for your classroom year-round. In addition to skills-based, standards-mapped lessons, NIDA has a suite of science-based Kahoot! quizzes, and many other NIDA activities designed for students and educators, to help enhance your curriculum.
Empower Youth to Make Informed Choices About Drugs and Their Health
Each year, NIDA and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism host the National Drug and Alcohol Fact Week® (NDAFW) health observance to inspire dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. NDAFW is the perfect opportunity to amplify your substance use prevention activities and help bring your school and greater community together.
Since 2010, NDAFW has been observed by schools, nonprofits, health departments, and more, educating thousands by shining a light on important health topics.
The next NDAFW observance is March 17-23, 2025, but you can be a part of this impactful observance throughout the year to empower youth in your community to make informed decisions about substance use and their health. Learn more about NDAFW and how you and your community can participate with the help of NIDA activity ideas for planning an event.
As you explore what type of event or activity may best meet the needs of your community, check out the NIDA Kahoot! quiz, Overdose: Know the Facts, to further the discussion on what causes drug overdoses and how to save a life using naloxone.
If you or someone you know experiences a substance use or mental health crisis, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help find treatment by calling or texting 988, calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or visiting www.FindTreatment.gov.
To learn more about substance use and addiction research, visit https://nida.nih.gov.
This post is sponsored content from National Institute on Drug Abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world’s research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to inform policy, improve practice, and advance addiction science. For more information about NIDA and its programs, visit https://nida.nih.gov/.
Find out more about Sponsored Content.
