31/08/2026
Today, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day. This year marks a landmark milestone: “25 Years On. Still Needed”. While overdose remains a critical public health crisis, it is preventable, and carrying naloxone is one of the most effective ways you can save a life.
As your community pharmacy, we want to make sure everyone is equipped with the simple, life-saving steps to respond to a suspected opioid overdose.
If you see someone who is unresponsive, has slow or stopped breathing, has pinpoint pupils, or has blue/purple lips and fingernails, they may be experiencing an overdose. Remember LAY, SPRAY, STAY.
🔴 LAY Place the person flat on their back, check for breathing, and tilt their head back slightly.
🔴 SPRAY Peel open the blister pack, insert the nozzle fully into one of their nostrils, and press the plunger firmly to administer the full 4 mg dose. ⚠️ Crucial Tip: Do NOT prime or test the spray beforehand, or you will waste the single dose!
🔴 STAY Call 000 immediately and place them on speakerphone. Roll the person onto their side in the recovery position(with their knee bent to support them and hand under their head) to keep their airway open, and stay with them until emergency responders arrive.
💡 Key Facts to Remember:
* Watch and Wait: Naloxone typically works within 2 to 3 minutes. If they do not respond or breathe normally in that time, open a brand-new device and administer a second dose in the opposite nostril. High-potency synthetic opioids like fentanyl often require multiple doses.
* Why 000 is Non-Negotiable: Naloxone only blocks opioid receptors for 30 to 90 minutes. Because many opioids stay in the body much longer, a person can slip back into an overdose once the naloxone wears off. Professional medical care is always required.
* Completely Safe: Naloxone is an antagonist with zero abuse potential and is not a controlled substance. It will not harm someone if they are unresponsive due to something else (like alcohol or a different medical emergency), so always use it if you are in doubt.
