Opioid Overdose Response

• If the person does not respond, CALL 911, and then follow 911 instructions.
• It never hurts to say, “I have a naloxone” if you are not sure if the person is experiencing overdose or not. Naloxone is a tool and saves lives in opioid overdose rather than fear of unknown.

Naloxone can be given safely to people of all ages, from infants to elderly adults. This includes a child who may have accidentally taken an opioid pain reliever or medicine to treat opioid use disorder. (5 Things to Know About Naloxone | Overdose Prevention | CDC)

Naloxone is available free of charge for students (LINK to NARCAN ACCESS MAP).

The use of naloxone has proven to be a lifesaving medication to prevent death from opioid overdose. Individuals who are concerned about the risk of an opioid overdose, including people who use prescription or illicit opioids, their family members, friends, caregivers, or concerned members of the public should consider having naloxone on hand. This allows individuals to have naloxone available to administer if they witness someone experiencing an overdose.

Administering naloxone to someone who is NOT experiencing an opioid overdose is safe and generally should not cause harmful health effects. Therefore, if someone is unsure whether an individual is experiencing an opioid overdose or not, it is still recommended to administer naloxone and call 911 immediately. This is because the potential benefits of administering naloxone and potentially saving a life outweigh the risks of not administering it. Learn more at Non-prescription (“Over-the-Counter”) Naloxone Frequently Asked Questions | SAMHSA

If you or someone who is struggling with alcohol and/or substances, please refer them to the Counseling & Psychological Services at 336.334.5874 (24/7) or email SRP@uncg.edu for support or consultation.

The Good Samaritan Law provides a defense to prosecution for an individual who calls for help for him/herself and/or someone else at risk of overdose. It also encourages people to provide aid in emergency situations without fear of legal repercussions.

FACT: Under North Carolina law, you can call 911 for help during a drug overdose.

FACT: The victim and the caller are protected from prosecution for the following;

• Possession of small amounts of most drugs
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Underage possession or consumption of alcohol
• Violating conditions of parole, post-release, or probation

FACT: The caller must provide their name to law enforcement or EMS to qualify for the legal protections

FACT: As of January 2016, 52 law enforcement departments in North Carolina carry naloxone to save the lives of overdose victims.
(Resource: North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition www.nchrc.org)

• Good Samaritan Laws: State-By-State Analysis (SAFE Project)
  • State: North Carolina Protected Resources
  • NAADAC Position Statement on the Opioid Epidemic