Alcohol and Drug Use: Prevent Overdose - NYC Health

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Prevent Overdose

Opioid overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in New York City and in the United States, surpassing even motor vehicle accidents. Overdose deaths are preventable, and, with naloxone, you can save a life.

Facts About Drug Overdose

Opioid overdose deaths (ODs) are preventable.

Most drug overdoses involve opioids, including heroin and prescription painkillers.

Prescription painkillers such as oxycodone are a growing cause of drug overdoses.

Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdose. It became legal to carry naloxone in New York State in 2006.

Even though most people think that overdoses are immediate, most overdoses occur 1 to 3 hours after the drug is taken. Only about 1 in 8 ODs happen immediately after the drug is taken.

Most drug overdose deaths in New York City happen at home.

Most drug overdoses are witnessed, meaning that someone else can call for help.

What to Do in Case of an Overdose

Call 911 for medical help.

Give naloxone if you have it. Spray Narcan Nasal Spray into one nostril, or inject intramuscular naloxone into the upper arm or thigh.

If the person is not breathing, do rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) or CPR if you know how.

Wait two minutes for the person to respond. Continue rescue breathing (or CPR if you are trained). If the person does not respond after two minutes, give a second dose of naloxone.

Lay the person on their side in the rescue position, so they do not choke if they vomit.

Wait for help to arrive.

For more information on responding to an overdose with naloxone nasal spray, download What is Naloxone? Educational Insert (PDF) Español.

Find out where you can get a naloxone kit.

Know Your Risk

If you are taking drugs, try to be with other people. If you're alone and something goes wrong, no one can help.

Know your limits. If your body has been drug-free for a while and then you take drugs, you are more likely to overdose. Take less than usual.

Don't mix drugs. You're more likely to overdose if you combine an opioid, like a painkiller or heroin, with alcohol, cocaine, benzos, or other drugs.

Guides

What is Naloxone? Educational Insert (PDF)

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Your Guide to Syringe Service Programs in NYC (PDF)

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Advisory #10: Presence of Fentanyl in Cocaine Contributing to Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths (PDF)

Reduce Your Risk of Overdose, Hep C & HIV (PDF)

Take Care Take Charge: Safety Tips for People Who Use or Inject Drugs (PDF)

Syringe Service Programs Infographic (PDF)

Syringe Service Program Q&A (PDF)

Additional Resources

First Aid for Opioid Overdose (PDF)

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Overdose Safety Planning Poster: What Is My Overdose Risk? (PDF)

No One Should Die of an Overdose (PDF)

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Fentanyl Fact Sheet (PDF)

Fentanyl is Causing Overdose Deaths Poster (PDF)

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Fentanyl is Causing Overdose Deaths Postcard (PDF)

Drug Tolerance and Risk of Overdose (PDF)

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Responding to an Overdose During the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF)

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Overdose Prevention Resources for Providers

HealingNYC: Preventing Overdoses, Saving Lives (PDF)

To get help and support to stop using, call 988 or 311 in New York City.

Find out where to get an overdose rescue kit with naloxone, call 311— ask for “overdose prevention.”

To order a 12-minute overdose prevention DVD, call 311.

Find NYC pharmacies that can provide naloxone without a prescription through the NYC Health Map or download a list of participating pharmacies (PDF)

Naloxone FAQ - Naloxone in Pharmacies: What You Need to Know (PDF)
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Find the right drug or alcohol abuse treatment program with the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator

For 24 hour/seven days per week information and referral, call 988.

More Information

Alcohol and Drug Use: Main Page

Opioid Addiction Treatment with Buprenorphine and Methadone

Alcohol and Drug Use: Health Effects

Alcohol

Alcohol and Drug Use Services

Prescription Pain Relievers

Fentanyl

Alcohol and Drug Use Data

Providers Resources

Peer Services and Resources