Opioids

Fact: In 2018, 124 Snohomish County residents overdosed on opioids (heroin and prescription).

Scenario: Someone you know is using an opioid narcotic. They’ve stopped breathing. What is your next action? You can save their life with an antidote.


**Fentanyl Alert: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. There is an increase of Fentanyl and Fentanyl overdoses in Snohomish County. Fentanyl can be disguised as legitimate medications such as Vicodin and Percocet. Illicit drugs, such as heroin and cocaine can be laced with Fentanyl. Please Be Aware and Carry Naloxone!

How to Identify and Respond to an Overdose 

If someone takes more opioids than their body can handle, they can pass out, stop breathing, and possibly die. Follow the steps below to possibly save their life.

1. Look for signs of an opioid overdose

  • Slow or no breathing
  • Gurgling, gasping, snoring
  • Clammy skin
  • Blue nails or lips

2. Try to wake them up

  • Rub your knuckles hard over their chest bone. If they don’t wake up, they need medical help right away.

3. Call 911

  • Notify 911 of the situation
  • Remember: You cannot be held liable for volunteering to provide medical support to someone in need of care. This is the Good Samaritan Law

4. Administer Naloxone

  • If you have a Naloxone/Narcan kit from a local pharmacy, use it as directed to stop the adverse effects of an opioid overdose.

Which drugs are opioids?

Opioids are medications that relieve pain. They include prescription and illegal narcotics such as:

  • Heroin
  • Oxycodone
  • Morphine
  • Codeine
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydrocodone

Naloxone will not work on other types of drug overdose. The medication will not reverse any complications with other types of drug interactions or overdoses.

Be Prepared

Naloxone, sometimes called Narcan®, is a lifesaving medication that blocks or reverses the effects of opioids. If someone is overdosing in your presence, you can administer Naloxone to possibly save their life. This medication only works in emergency situations, so it’s imperative you have the medication with you when an overdose occurs. Be prepared, carry Naloxone.

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is an antidote used to treat an opioid overdose. Use of this medication temporarily blocks the receptors in the brain impacted by an opioid, making it possible for a person to breathe. The medical reversal process can take 2-3 minutes and lasts 20 to 90 minutes. Always contact 9-1-1 in any medical emergency, including opioid overdose.

Where do I get Naloxone? Do I need a prescription?

You do not need a prescription to purchase Naloxone. The lifesaving antidote kits are available at numerous pharmacies located throughout Snohomish County. The pharmacist will discretely educate you on how and when to use Naloxone. The cost of a Naloxone kit is approximately $150 and may be covered by insurance.


Naloxone kits are available at numerous local pharmacies (locations available on stopoverdose.org).

Do I need training to use or administer Naloxone?

No, you do not need training. Anyone can administer the antidote after a consultation from a pharmacist or other trained professional on how to use the medication properly.