What to Do in Case of an Overdose

Call 911 as soon as possible. A quick response is essential, especially in rural areas where emergency response time may be longer. Remain calm and try to answer the operator's questions to the best of your ability. Never be afraid to call, even if you are overdosing or doing drugs.

Mississippi has a Good Samaritan law to protect people who call in case of an overdose for themselves or another person. This law does not protect people who are dealing drugs or who have a large amount of drugs in their possession.

What Not to Do

If you are trying to help someone who may have overdosed, or is unconscious from taking drugs:

• Do not try to wake someone from an overdose by slapping or hitting them. It will only cause further injury. If you cannot wake the person by shouting, try rubbing your knuckles on the center of their chest or light pinching them.
• Do not force any liquids in the person.
• Do not put them in the cold bath or shower. This increases the risk of falling, drowning, or going into shock.
• Do not try to make the person vomit drugs that may have been swallowed. Choking or inhaling vomit into the lungs can cause a fatal injury.
• Do not try to help a semi-conscious person get up and walk around.
• Do not leave the person alone to sleep it off.
• Do not lie to emergency personnel. Give them complete and accurate information so they can give the best help right away.

Naloxone: An Overdose Antidote

Naloxone can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is also known as Narcan^®, Kloxxado^®, Zimhi^® and RiVive^®.

If you or someone you know is at an increased risk for opioid overdose, you should carry naloxone and keep it at home. Naloxone should be given to any person who shows signs of an opioid overdose or when an overdose is suspected.

Naloxone is available over-the-counter or by requesting a prescription from your local pharmacist. The pharmacy will charge you retail price, or a co-pay if it is covered by your insurance.

Individuals can request a naloxone kit from the Mississippi State Department of Health and receive it by mail at no charge.

Organizations can also request naloxone in bulk for distribution. MSDH may limit the quantity of naloxone an organization can request to ensure equitable distribution to organizations across the state.

• Request an individual naloxone kit
• Request naloxone in bulk for distribution by an organization
• More about naloxone

Learn More

• Store and dispose of prescription drugs safely
• Mississippi's opioid epidemic