Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention Flashcards

A peer gives naloxone to a man who overdosed on fentanyl, and he starts breathing again. What is the main reason someone should stay with him for at least the next few hours?

Answer: Naloxone can wear off before the opioid does, so the overdose can come back

Naloxone lasts about 30–90 minutes, and long-acting or strong opioids can outlast it, so breathing can slow down again.

Which group of signs most strongly points to an opioid overdose?

Answer: Pinpoint pupils, slow or stopped breathing, and unresponsiveness

The classic opioid overdose triad is pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and decreased consciousness.

A participant tells a peer specialist he was released from jail yesterday after 90 days without using. What overdose risk should the peer talk about first?

Answer: His tolerance has dropped, so his old dose could now be fatal

Time without use lowers tolerance, which is why overdose risk is very high in the first weeks after release from incarceration or detox.

In most U.S. states, what do Good Samaritan overdose laws generally do?

Answer: Give limited legal protection to people who call 911 for an overdose, often against minor possession charges

These laws encourage people to call for help by protecting the caller and the victim from certain drug-related charges; the details differ by state.

Which statement best reflects the harm reduction principle of 'meeting people where they are'?

Answer: Supporting any positive change a person chooses, even if it is not abstinence

Harm reduction accepts a person's current situation and supports any step that cuts down on harm, without making abstinence a condition.

A participant who smokes stimulants asks whether she needs naloxone, since she 'doesn't do opioids.' What is the best peer response?

Answer: Yes—the stimulant supply is often contaminated with fentanyl, so carrying naloxone is recommended

Fentanyl is often found in cocaine and methamphetamine, so people who use stimulants are at risk of opioid overdose and should carry naloxone.

When giving rescue breaths to an adult who is not breathing because of an opioid overdose, about how often should breaths be given?

Answer: One breath every 5 to 6 seconds

Adult rescue breathing is about one breath every 5–6 seconds (10–12 per minute) to keep oxygen flowing until the person breathes on their own.