While no drug is risk-free, there are evidence-based harm reduction strategies that can help reduce adverse outcomes of substance use.
Test your drugs
Fentanyl test strips can show if a drug contains fentanyl. They are reliable, easy to use, and can detect the presence of fentanyl in nearly any drug. The strips show results in two minutes.
Never use alone
Try to never use alone. If you are alone, have someone you trust check on you so they can intervene in the event of an overdose. You can also call the Never Use Alone hotline.
Never Use Alone Hotline
National: 800-484-3731 Spanish: 800-928-5330
Never Use Alone is a toll-free, nationwide overdose prevention, detection, crisis response and reversal lifeline service for people who use drugs while alone.
Know the signs of an overdose
Be familiar with the signs of an opioid overdose and encourage those close to you to do the same. Every second counts in an overdose situation. Knowing what to look for is the first step.
Take the free Overdose Response Training provided by the Steve Rummler HOPE Network.
Signs of an opioid overdose:
A person experiencing an opioid overdose might show some of these signs:
- Very sleepy or passed out and not waking up
- Unable to talk or respond
- Struggling to breathe; slow or no breathing
- Very small (“pinpoint”) pupils
- Making gasping, gurgling, or choking sounds
- Slow heartbeat
- Skin discoloration (especially around the mouth, nails and eyes)
Have naloxone available
In 2020, there was a bystander present in over 65% of drug overdose death cases in Minnesota. This represents potential opportunities for life-saving interventions like naloxone.1
Naloxone (also known as “Narcan”) is a safe and effective medication that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. In Minnesota, you don’t need a prescription to carry the medication or administer it to save a life.
Have naloxone with you, even if you don’t suspect you are using opioids. Fentanyl has been found even in non-opioid drugs. Steve Rummler HOPE Network provides free intramuscular naloxone kits to the public. Take our Overdose Response Training and get your free kit today.
Have a plan
In MN, Steve’s Law provides limited criminal immunity to an individual seeking help in an overdose situation and the person experiencing the overdose. If you’re using with a group:
- Make sure there is a person designated to seek help and that person stays alert.
- Have people stagger their use so that someone is always alert and ready to respond with naloxone.
Stick to one substance at a time
Using multiple substances at one time (“polysubstance use”) can happen intentionally or unintentionally, such as when a person uses a drug that has been laced with fentanyl. Drinking alcohol or taking a prescription medication while using drugs is also polysubstance use.
Polysubstance use can produce stronger, unpredictable, and dangerous effects and may increase the risk of overdose or other adverse health outcomes.2 The best way to prevent these negative effects is to test your drug and avoid mixing multiple substances.
Use clean supplies/equipment
Using clean needles, new cookers, sterile water, etc. can help reduce risk of overdose and exposure to bloodborne diseases like hepatitis or HIV/AIDS. These supplies can be found at syringe service programs.
Go slow and use carefully
Because fentanyl is so strong, a little goes a long way and overdose can occur quickly. Some ways you can be safer:
- Do a test dose. Start with a smaller dose to see how your body reacts. This is especially important when using a new drug or getting your drug from a new source.
- Space out doses. Give yourself time between doses. Everyone’s tolerance level is different and fentanyl dosing can be highly inconsistent in counterfeit pills or other laced drugs.
- Use less. A little goes a long way with fentanyl.