Overdose Awareness and Prevention
News Release
Overdose deaths show alarming trend in 2020; fentanyl partly to blame
Washington State Opioid Response Plan
I want to know more about treatment options
To locate treatment options or to just learn more: 1.866.789.1511. The Washington Recovery Helpline.
What does an overdose look like and how can I help?
Warning signs of an overdose:
- Extremely slow breathing or heavy snoring
- Confusion or difficulty being awakened
- Blue lips or skin
- Very small pupils
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you witness these signs in someone taking prescription pain medicine or any other illicit drugs. You are protected under the Good Samaritan Law!
An overdose can occur even if someone did not knowingly use opioids, and/or were using stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
Administer naloxone to reverse the overdose. Naloxone or brand name Narcan® temporarily stops the effect of opioids, allowing someone to wake up from an opioid overdose and start breathing again. In Washington State, anyone who might have or witness an opioid overdose can legally possess and administer naloxone.
What is the Data telling us?
Washington:
The latest Washington state data and interactive maps, charts and graphs can be created using the opioid overdose and prescription dashboards.
State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS)
The data is used to better understand circumstances surrounding the incident and the type and origin of drugs involved.
Unintentional opioid overdose death data collected for July 2017 – June 2018 for 13 counties representing over 75% of cases.
Opioid Overdose Data Brief
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has published an updated opioid overdose data brief (PDF) with the most current available data trends and statistics. The brief also highlights the opioid and drug prevention efforts underway across Washington State through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Overdose Data to Action Cooperative Agreement, managed by DOH.
National:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national opioid overdose data: Learn more and see a breakdown of data by prescription opioid overdoses, prescribing rates, drug overdose deaths, and more.
Where else can I find more information/resources?
Check with your local county health department to find localized information about your community.
- Stopoverdose.org has more up to date resources for overdose, naloxone, materials and toolkits, crisis support, and information for professionals such as first responders, treatment providers, and health care providers, etc.
- Public Health - Seattle & King County have various adaptable and printable materials as well as other resources for anyone to use.
- It Starts With One Find conversation starters, information about safe storage and disposal, and more.