Celebrities
This actress became famous @ 6 years old and started using alcohol, and shortly after marijuana and cocaine. She has gone on to recover and become a successful actress and producer.
Drew Barrymore
What is a benefit of harm reduction?
- Lowers the risks associated with an activity without having to abstain from it
- Recognizes people experience benefits from certain activities, and promotes them in a safer way
What are signs of an opioid overdose?
- Slow, absent breathing
- Disorientation
- Cold, clammy skin
- Choking, coughing, gurgling sounds
- Discolouration of lips and nails
- Small pupils
- Cannot be woken up
FACT
What is the drug increasingly being found in supplies of cocaine, mdma, heroine, and other illicit substances?
Fentanyl
Mathew Perry
A way to stay safe while drinking alcohol
-Eat a Meal
-Drink some Water
-Set a drink limit
-Have a safe place to be (friends house, bar, public space)
- Don't drive
-Not mixing drugs with alcohol
What are the signs of a stimulant overdose?
- If conscious: "crashing, anxiety, paranoia"
- Stimulant toxicity - rigid, jerking limbs, in and out of consciousness, seizures, rapidly escalating temp and pulse, or chest pains.
The average number of bottles of wine drank per person per year during the pandemic was 104. And the average number of beers drank per person per year was 554.
FACT
This substance saw a 24% increase in sales above what was predicted during the pandemic.
- What is Cannabis
This famous young man starred in a series of 8 films. The last few he struggled with alcohol use, and since it wrapped decided to quit and is now in recovery.
Daniel Radcliffe
How much a person can tolerate depends on...
-Amount of sleep
-Tolerance
-Food intake
-Gender
-Body weight
How do you put someone into the recovery position?
Place person on side, leaning on arm, and propped up with knee and other arm. Keeps their airway open, prevents choking on vomit.
Using harm reduction strategies while participating in drinking or drug use reduces the risk of experiencing negative consequences.
FACT!
What is the major downfall when coming down off a stimulant drug?
Feelings of depression. With serotonin levels in the brain depleted, feelings of depression can set in.
This actor started using drugs before he was a teenager and spent most of his early career under the influence. He was involved in some high profile arrests and spent time in prison before recovering and going on to film a 2008 hit Marvel movie.
Robert Downey Jr.
A safe way to use drugs?
- Never alone - buddy or use app
- Safe supplies
- Let people know what you're taking or doing
- Safe consumption site
What are two things you can do if you suspect someone you know is having an overdose?
-Check breathing
-911 immediately
- Find and use naloxone kit
Alcohol warms the body
MYTH!
It slows down the heart rate and dilates blood vessels, which can make you feel warmer but increases risk of hypothermia.
A danger of mixing a stimulant with a depressant
A depressant will decrease your heart rate while a stimulant would increase your heart rate. This could cause heart failure and/or arrhythmia, and/or damage to the heart.
Overdose - each masks the effect of the other
A two time Academy award winner, one of which was for Good Will Hunting, this man has been open about his struggles with alcohol. He has called addiction "a life long and difficult struggle".
Ben Affleck
You get more information on resources from:
Towards the Heart
BCCDC
Substance Use Services - JHSNI
Where can you get a naloxone kit?
AVI
Substance Use Services - JHSNI staff, OPS
Fentanyl has been implicated in 90% of drug overdose deaths.
FACT
What you can do to help someone who is having a ‘bad trip’?
- Stay with them (unless the situation becomes unsafe, call for support)
- Bring them to a quiet, safe area
- Remind them they are safe with you
- Contact a trusted friend/family member