Opioid Overdose Prevention Strategies

The opioid overdose crisis has deeply impacted communities across the nation, and young people are not immune to its effects. Understanding the signs of opioid overdose, knowing how to respond, and being informed about prevention strategies are critical steps in safeguarding the health and safety of children and youth.

This section is designed to provide essential information for parents, caregivers, educators, and young people, empowering them with the knowledge to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses.

What is an opioid? An opioid is a depressant. A depressant is a category of substances that work by slowing the functions of the central nervous system, such as reducing heart rate, slowing breathing, reducing muscle spasms, and inducing sleeping. Opioids are a class of drugs that include fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, heroin, and many others.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

What are the symptoms of an opioid overdose?

Opioid overdoses can happen quickly and may be life-threatening. Recognizing the symptoms early is critical for prompt intervention. It’s important for parents, educators, and young people to be aware of these signs and know what to do in an emergency. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life.

Signs of an opioid overdose

No breathing, slow or shallow breathing, or difficulty breathing such as choking sounds or a gurgling/snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened.
Unconsciousness or inability to awaken.
Discolored skin, lips, or nails— pale, blue, or gray color is a sign of overdose.

Additional resources

Overdose Prevention, Recognition, and Response, DOH – This site provides information on identifying the signs of opioid and stimulant overdose, responding to overdoses with naloxone, preventing overdoses, and finding treatment, including resources for youths and young adults.
Preventing, Recognizing, and Treating Opioid Overdose, SAMHSA – This site offers comprehensive information on how to prevent, recognize, and treat opioid overdoses.

If I see a person experiencing overdose symptoms, what should I do?

In the event of an opioid overdose, immediate action can save lives. Knowing what to do, including how to administer naloxone (brand name Narcan®), can make a critical difference. The steps below offer guidance on how to respond if you or someone you know is experiencing overdose symptoms. The Department of Health recommends these steps:

Check for a response

Try to wake them up. Shake them and shout their name.
Rub your knuckles hard on the breastbone (sternum) in the center of their chest.
Hold your ear close to their nose, listen and feel for signs of breathing.
Look at their lips and fingernails — pale, blue, or gray color is a sign of overdose.

Call 9-1-1

Tell the operator your exact location.
Say you are with a person who is not breathing. You do not have to say anything about drugs or medicines at the scene.
Tell the operator you are going to give the person naloxone.
Follow any instructions you get from the operator.
Stay on the line!

Give naloxone

There are two common types of naloxone—nasal spray or injectable. Follow instructions provided with the naloxone.
In Washington state, any person or entity can obtain, possess, and administer naloxone.

Start CPR or rescue breathing

Someone who has overdosed needs oxygen. Naloxone may take a few minutes to start working. Check again to see if they are breathing.
If you can't hear them breathe or their breath sounds shallow, provide CPR or rescue breaths. Do whatever the 9-1-1 operator instructs you to do or whatever you know how to do.
Follow instructions of the 9-1-1 operator until help arrives.

Post-care for overdose

Stay with the person until help arrives. Remember: the Good Samaritan Law offers some protections when you call 9-1-1 for an overdose.
If the person starts breathing on their own, but they do not wake up, roll them on their side to a recovery position.
- While on their side, extend the arm nearest to you at a right angle to the person’s body with the palm facing up.
- Take the person’s other arm, folding it with their hand on their cheek.
- Use your other hand to bend the person’s knee to a right angle.
When the person wakes up, they may have opioid withdrawal symptoms such as chills, nausea, and muscle aches.
They may not remember what happened. They may be scared, nervous, or restless. Keep the area around them quiet and calm, let them know what happened, and let them know you will stay with them until help arrives. Try to keep them from taking more drugs – let them know that while naloxone is in their system, it will block the feeling of opioids in their system, but that when the naloxone wears off they could overdose again.

Additional Resources

Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution, DOH – This site provides information on naloxone availability in Washington state, including details on where to find it and how to use it safely.
Helping Stop Overdose | Stop Overdose, CDC – This site offers educational content to highlight drug use trends and encourage ways to safely reduce risk for oneself or others.

Is naloxone safe? Where do I find it? How can I learn how to use it?

Naloxone is a safe and effective medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. It's essential to know where to obtain naloxone, how to use it, and understand its role in saving lives. Below are resources to help you learn more about naloxone (brand name Narcan®), find it, and get training on its use.

Naloxone is covered by Medicaid and most other health coverage programs and can be dispensed at pharmacies without a prescription. It is also available through community-based organizations. Washington residents covered by Medicaid (Apple Health) can get naloxone at no cost.

Department of Health (DOH) Resources

Printed Naloxone Instructions, DOH – Step-by-step instructions for administering naloxone.
- Printed instructions in six languages
- Flyer Use Naloxone for a Drug Overdose offers step-by-step instructions and graphics
Naloxone Saves Lives (wa.gov) – A Washington State Department of Health resource for students and their families that includes what everyone needs to know about naloxone, how to access and use it, and other related resources.
DOH video “Opioid Overdose - Administering Naloxone” (6:22)
- Nasal naloxone demonstration starts at minute 2:30 of video.
- Injectable naloxone demonstration starts at minute 2:55 of video.
Washington State Naloxone Finder – This locator tool helps you find naloxone distribution points near you.
CDC Video and Printable Naloxone Fact Sheets include:
- “How to Use Naloxone Nasal Spray” (:30 – youtube.com) – This video shows how to administer naloxone nasal spray.
- How and When to Use Naloxone for an Opioid Overdose, CDC – PDF fact sheet provides practical instructions on the signs of opioid overdose, information on naloxone, and what to do if you think someone has overdosed.
- Reversing Opioid Overdoses with Lifesaving Naloxone, CDC – PDF fact sheet provides information on naloxone, how it works to block the effects of opioids, who should carry it, how to find it, statistics on opioid overdose deaths, bystanders, and home-based deaths, signs of overdose, and five steps on what to do.
- Learn About Opioid Overdose - Minutes count in an opioid overdose. If you think someone has overdosed, follow the steps shared on this website.

What are youth substance use trends nationally? In Washington state? In my community?

Understanding substance use trends among youth can help in identifying risks and providing timely interventions. These resources provide data and insights into youth opioid use trends, both nationally and within Washington state.

National statistics
- Monitoring the Future | National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA – Since 1975, this survey has measured drug and alcohol use and related attitudes among adolescent students nationwide.
- Report – Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975–2023: Overview and Detailed Results for Secondary School Students (PDF)
- Publication – Trends in Drug Overdose Deaths Among US Adolescents, January 2010 to June 2021 | Emergency Medicine, JAMA
Healthy Youth Survey – This biennial survey is administered to 6th-12th grade students across the state to learn from them about their wellbeing, behaviors, attitudes, community and school experiences, and more. The 2023 survey was the 18th statewide survey of Washington students. In 2023, over 215,000 students from all 39 counties participated.
- Fact Sheets and Fact Sheet Generator
  - Fact Sheet Generator (create custom fact sheets)
  - 2023 Substance Use in Washington State – Grades 6, 8, 10, 12
  - 2023 Medication and Opioid Misuse in Washington State – Grades 8, 10, 12
- Healthy Youth Survey Data Dashboard – Use the interactive dashboard to view a variety of topics and behaviors in specific counties and Educational Service Districts in Washington state.

Where can I learn more and find support?

Access to information and support is crucial for prevention and recovery. These resources offer a variety of culturally relevant tools, support networks, and educational materials for parents, educators, and young people in Washington state.

For Our Lives is designed to inform and educate Tribal communities about opioid misuse prevention, overdose response, and treatment. This site includes a prevention and treatment toolkit as well as free print materials, videos, social media posts, digital graphics, and other materials that can be made to order.
Just the Facts – This site provides science-based realness about drugs and alcohol, and how they affect the brains and bodies of youth.
Native Resource Hub – This website and support line (866) 491-1683 (after hours, click here) helps Indigenous people in Washington find resources such as naloxone, as well as culturally appropriate care and services, including addiction treatment and recovery.
Friends For Life | WAFriendsforLife.com – This site provides peer support and educational resources for young people in Washington state, focusing on opioid overdose prevention and recovery.
Prevent Overdose WA – This DOH site offers resources in English and Spanish to help people find naloxone to reverse an overdose.
Youth Overdose Education – This site was developed to provide young people facts on how to recognize and respond to overdose and information about the Good Samaritan Law, which protects victims of overdose and those who call for help.
Parents & Educators | National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA – This site provides the latest science-based information about drug use, health, and the developing brain. Designed for young people and those who influence them, including parents, guardians, grandparents, teachers, and educators.