Harm reduction is a way to help people who use drugs by giving them tools and information to make safer choices.
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department’s Harm Reduction Program provides FREE services to people who use drugs including:
- Supplies
- Syringes/sharps
- Sharps containers
- Alternatives to injection supplies
- Naloxone
- Fentanyl test strips
- Services
- Post-overdose support
- Medication assisted treatment referrals
- Hepatitis C treatment referrals
- Testing for sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis C
For hours, locations and more information, visit the Harm Reduction Program. Visit the Resource Hub for additional harm reduction resources and services near you.
An opioid overdose happens when someone takes too much of an opioid drug, like heroin or painkillers. Opioids can slow down breathing, making it hard for the body to get enough oxygen. Knowing how to spot an overdose and what to do can help keep people safe.
Key points:
The following are signs of possible overdose:
- Loss of consciousness
- Unresponsive to outside stimuli
- Awake, but unable to talk
- Breathing is very slow and is shallow, erratic, or has stopped
- For lighter skinned people, the skin tone turns bluish purple; for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen.
- Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise (sometimes called the “death rattle”)
- Vomiting
- Body is very limp
- Face is very pale or clammy
- Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black
Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or not there at all
If you are having a hard time telling, it is best to treat the situation like an overdose. The most important thing you can do is act right away – it might save somebody’s life.
What to Do: Give naloxone if you have it. Try to keep the person awake and breathing by giving breaths if needed. Naloxone can quickly reverse an opioid overdose and comes as a nasal spray or injection.
Call for help: If you think someone is overdosing, call 9-1-1 right away. It's important to get help fast.
A person cannot be arrested for reversing an overdose
Understanding these basics can help you act quickly and safely. To find naloxone or other overdose prevention resources near you, check out the Resource Hub.
Naloxone (also called NARCAN®) is a medicine that helps if someone has taken too much of an opioid like fentanyl, heroin, or certain painkillers. It can stop the effects of these drugs and can save lives during an overdose. Naloxone can be used as a nasal spray or as a shot. It starts working in a few minutes and can help the person start breathing again.
Important Note: If you notice heavy breathing after using opioids, naloxone can stop an overdose before it happens if used in time.
Visit the Resource Hub to find where you can get naloxone near you.
Fentanyl is a very strong drug that is 50 times more powerful than heroin. It is used in medicine to manage pain but can also be found in other drugs. Because it is cheap to make and a little goes a long way, fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, sometimes without people knowing. This has led to many more overdose deaths.
Key points:
- Very strong: Fentanyl is much stronger than heroin and morphine.
- Forms: It comes as a powder that can be injected, smoked, or snorted. It can also be mixed into other drugs like heroin, meth, or cocaine.
- Overdose risk: There have been more overdose deaths from fentanyl lately. It’s important to know the signs of an overdose and how to use naloxone to help.
- Myth vs. Truth:
- Myth: You can overdose just by touching fentanyl.
- Truth: You cannot overdose on fentanyl by touching it. Fentanyl has to enter the body to cause harm.
- Safety tips:
- Use less: Start with a small amount because fentanyl is very strong.
- Test your drugs: Use fentanyl test strips to check for fentanyl in other drugs.
- Stagger use: If you’re with others, take turns using drugs so someone is always watching and prepared to act in the event of an overdose.
- Carry naloxone: Always have naloxone with you and know how to use it in case of an overdose.
Visit the Resource Hub to find where you can get fentanyl test strips and naloxone.
Medication for opioid use disorder refers to a range of medications that help people who use opioids. These medicines assist people in staying healthy and taking control of their opiate use. It’s a key part of treatment that can help people live healthier lives.
Key points:
- Reduces cravings: The medications used for opioid use disorder help people feel less desire to use opioids.
- Keeps you safe: These medicines lower the risk of using dangerous drugs and having an overdose.
- Supports recovery: It is used along with counseling and support to help people recover.
- Types of medicines: Common medicines used are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
- Personalized plans: Doctors make a treatment plan that includes medication for opioid use disorder, therapy, and support to help people get better.
Medication for opioid use disorder can help people make positive changes and get healthier. To learn more, talk to a healthcare provider or visit the Resource Hub to find a clinic near you that offers this medication.
When we use hurtful words about substance use, it can make people feel ashamed and stop them from asking for help. It can also make others less willing to offer help. That’s why it’s important to use kind and respectful words. Here’s why:
Reduces Judgment: Using the right words helps people feel less judged and teaches others not to be judgmental. This makes it easier to ask for help without feeling embarrassed.
Encourages Talking: When we use respectful language, people feel more comfortable talking about substance use. This helps everyone understand and learn more about ways to use more safely and get support.
Supports Recovery: Using positive language shows that we believe in people’s ability to make safer choices and that they deserve support.
By choosing our words carefully, we help create a caring and supportive environment for everyone. Learn more about what language to use and make a pledge to end stigma around substance use.