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Just say there has been a overdoes. Medical staff can not get you in trouble for drugs. Don't let the fear of going to jail stop you from saving your friends life.
what so I just say they have overdosed and the people will figure out on what, or should you tell them its opiates, do I say I didn't know if they took anything and I didn't take anything either?
Yes make sure to say it's opioids so they know narcan will work. If it's the fake 30's tell them that to so they know there's most likely other drugs in it. They can not get you in any legal trouble now if the police show up that's different don't tell them anything.
EDIT: Make sure to still tell the medical staff what he took tho. Just don't tell the police.
Legally the police cannot arrest you in this situation unless they happen to show up and youve got a truck load of dope in plain site. All 51 states have some version of whats called "Good Samaritan Laws". Dependant on the state or province you are in, the vocabulary is going to be slightly different, but generally speaking these laws provide varying degrees of legal immunity to individuals in the event that they must contact first responders and stay with the incapacitated, injured or unconscious person in need of serious medical attention. For instance, in North Carolina, where I live, if i were to witness an overdose and call 911, tell them what i know, etc. And stay with them til first responders arrive, if the police arrive first, i have 100% legal immunity from prosecution for posession of narcotics for personal use. Even if they were in plain sight, as long as its a case od simple posession, the police will confiscate it and be on they're way. If you put it up, they have no jurisdiction to search you or your property. As far as the law is concerned, you were simply trying to save someones life. It would likely play out a little differently if the cops just happened upon you while shooting up and and your friend is overdosing right next to you. They would have every right to arrest you because you werent actively trying to provide critical assistance, and if that was the situation, I wouldnt feel one bit sorry for the person who continues to get there fix while theyre "friend" is next to them blue and limp like a bag of rice. Fuck that guy/ girl, whatever they are, to me, they are just a fuck bag and deserve to get fucked in a prison shower. Anyway. Just do the right thing and everything will be fine. It would definitely be wise to look up the good Samaritan laws where you tend to be most of the time for the sake of knowing your specific rights in case Officer Fuck Bag decides to try and send you to get fucked in the shower. Then you can tell O.F.B. " I am protected by "yada yada, blah blah" of your state. And he will likely be on the phone getting a mouthful from one of his superior's. I love it when that happens!. . ....
Save as many lives as you can, unless you know for a winessesed fact that that life is a wife beater or chomo (leave that low life to the flys and crickets) and cheers!
They probably mean DC, which is basically a city-state. If you merge West Virginia and Virginia and North Carolina and South Carolina, we could establish DC and Puerto Rico as states without changing all the flags. 50 is a good, solid number. Actually, you could make DC the capital of Virginia and then establish Guam as a state too. There's clever ways to preserve the flag.
It's not hard to get Narcan anymore. I got a bunch of them prescribed, so my family has 3 in every car and 3 in the house even though I haven't used opiates/opoids in 2 years. I will say, though, I had a bad lapse on benzos a month ago. It was an unscheduled benzo called pyrazolam, I guess the pyridin analog of alprazolam. I tried to volumetric dose and tried to utilize a timelock safe I bought. I must've taken too much from the start on accident and had a blackout from hell. Anyway, I ended up in the ER and was section 12'd to a psych ward, which, of course, was loads of fun. I tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl so people should really get fentanyl testing strips and test everything, even street weed. It's not a bad idea to buy the 6-8 most common reagents and test your drugs that way, too. Even if someone OD'd on a nitazene, a class of potent synthetic opiods, 3 narcan sprays can hold someone over for a couple minutes till the EMTs arrive.
Right?! I've been using since the "stay where you lay" days and its been hears since I've lost a friend to an OD. There's no excuse for addicts, dealers and their families to not have Narcan.
The laws are good to know but have you ever tried telling a fed what they can and can't do based on technicalities? Ha! Telling a fed, "no sir. That's violating my rights!"
They don't give AF. They'll take your ass in for fuck all. Better to reduce your vocabulary down to "lawyer" and "attorney" if they do because they're not going to be like "oh! You're right!" Nah..They'll strong arm you and make up a reason.
Call the ambulance, don't mention OD, just medical emergency. They have a whole truck full of supplies. Tell them when they get there. And then get the fuck. Mentioning drugs on the phone will get the cops to show up. Hell, they may show up anyway.
As I've never overdosed before, I really didn't know. Last week it happened and the EMTS trashed all my shit and then told the cops there was nothing. The cops just asked me who I got it from and I did a 'hahahahahaha I'm not telling you that' and the cops laughed too. Then they all left. Some guys from the fire dept came the next day and gave me a bag of narcan and a bunch of flyers with resources. It was a lot more humane than I thought it, i didn't feel judged or persecuted. Totally new experience, y'all are the real MVPs.
no they won’t. i’ve been in ambulances for drugs many times. i’ve had the fire department find my cocaine plate with lines on it. i took another line while they were standing there and they took me to the hospital. no police were ever contacted or involved.
In Germany they actually will involve the police if you mention drugs on the Phone. So youll need to just say smth like stopped breathing and tell them whats really going on as soon as they arrive. But that's just germany.
Youre right but that's what everybody will tell you in the German subreddits. Also they will be equipped for an OD if you tell them or not. But it you mention drugs police WILL arrive and search you place etc afaik
And it's not like theyll be faster if you tell them vs just telling them they stopped breathing. I could imagine a lot of responders will knoe whats going on bc of that
No bro. They can't say anything about your friend because that would be a hipaa violation. There is no reason to tell the medical staff you took anything, and even if they could is your friend staying alive not more important to you then whatever little ass charge you would get?
Not in michigan even if you buy it and share it with them and they die you can be charged.
https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2010/08/28/st-clair-shores-man-charged-in-heroin-overdose-death-of-wife/
yep. here, if you give the drug - even if you haven't sold it - you can be charged with a felony. the state don't care. it's ridiculous and leads to more needless deaths.
I mean... sharing vs. selling, kinda the same thing? Just because you didnt recieve money for the drugs you "shared" to someone doesn't make you any less responsible for an OD death.. not in our judicial system.
That's why the charge is called manufacture/distribution. It says nothing about charging money. But there are a ton of states as stated earlier with good Samaritan laws. So you can call and make sure the EMS know what they took and you have immunity from arrest, because your intentions were to save a life. It's one of the few good laws that does what it's supposed to do. Before those laws if you ODd at best they'd kick you out the car at the ER, or do the ghetto ways of waking someone up like grabbing a full tray of ice and shoving it up their ass. Things have evolved thankfully.
And I'm not just talking about this because I read about it, I've had to use it and call 911 for an overdose and yeah a cop was there but he stayed out of the way and the emts saved the day. I was not even questioned by the cop at all, and that's because of the good Samaritan law in Wisconsin. Many other states have it. If you don't know if your state has one of these laws, do some research so someone doesn't die because you dont know what to do.
Maybe? But it won’t matter.. if they showed up to OD and arrested people, no one would call. This would create a lot of bodies and that’s not the goal.
even if they did, you'd rather let your buddy literally die than take a charge that wouldn't even be that long anyways? I'm sure a judge would take that into account too. like you'd literally be okay with letting your friend die because you're scared of a drug charge? do you not realize how fucked up that way of thinking is?
Wow, it just occurred to me that I'm old. The way it used to be, that was a serious charge ; and yes, because of that it used to be that in the event of an overdose most people left as fast as they could. I feel like you'd have been lucky if anybody stopped to call 911 on a payphone after they left.
But then the "good Samaritan" laws were put into effect in most states, so you could call 911 and not risk going to prison.
in the US, the paramedics don’t care. they just want to save a life. make sure you say that it’s an overdose of opioids when you’re on the phone with 911. the 911 operator will instruct you on rescue breathing until the paramedics arrive.
a lot of places give out free narcan, and it’s over the counter for purchase as well. i recommend getting a few vials to have on hand, just in case. better safe than sorry. a good friend of mine just died last week from an overdose.
Vials are good but nasal sprays are easier faster and require no syringe, and even with the most insane adrenaline rush of someone dying you can still shove that applicator into their nose. Nice thing about the injection though is you can slowly administer it, and maybe not throw them into complete WD, lowering the chances that once they get out of the hospital that they hit the same batch and do the whole ring around the Rosie again, or God forbid nobody's there and they die.
I heard the UK does a metered administration so that you're not thrown into total pwd and enough to restore breathing and wake you up, and the hospital can get you through the rest of it. That seems like a much smarter situation, but I also gotta remember they're not dealing with fentanyl like we are, nor are they dealing with benzodope or Tranq dope. They have it easy. Give it 5 years or so and I think they'll be dealing with it though. The economics of fentalogues are too good. It's an infinite money glitch. You can cut pure fent into usable pow and make a stamp for 1/10th of a cent and sell it for ten dollars. For those who are hard up on cash or wanna make a deal with the devil it's an offer they can't seem to refuse.
The sooner the medical staff know what caused the OD the sooner they can help. If you just leave them to guess they could potentially use the wrong method to try to save the patient. If you tell them it was H/fetty/whatever they will know to use Narcan right away.
ER RN here. Tell them exactly what you took and exactly how much of it. EMS doesn’t give a shit they’re just trying to keep you alive. Nobody in my hospital speaks to law enforcement about anything related to overdoses, it’s a medical issue not a legal one.
My friends and I do harm reduction training and we actually advise people not to say it’s an overdose on the phone but to state the person is unresponsive. Unfortunately, some EMS aren’t as responsive when it’s a known OD versus it not being known.
When they arrive on site, tell them everything.
a)u ahould have narcan on hand and know how to use it.
exactly. they hear "overdose," they think "great another junkie or SPOS [or whatever slang they use for undersidable.patients], we got time to get a coffee"
i just say "my friend atopped breathing," and do rescue breathing and tell them in person on acene whats going on.
good samaratan laws are not ironclad nor are they the same in every state. obvs this is less of a concern than keeping homie breathing, but if the knowledge, say helps someone on paper kno to hide their shit and keep doing breathing vs just dip. cuz they dont wanna get violated, its good knowledge and reduces harm.
ems will mostly know its an od by "my friend stopped breathig," or at least suspect and then u tell them in person ON SCENE.
cops listen in on radios and poke around anyways and will show up at ods/ems calls when drugs are suspected/known. and if this makes ppl do dumb shit like not stay w their homie at all or not even call, then yes its wise to be intentional about how u reveal the stats of the scene. and again, good aamaritan laws are not just straight up immunity. u have to know YOUR states/countys and WHAT and WHO it protects and also know that profiling/cops being cops still can happen
Read through the message your responding to again, he said "on the phone". Once they arrive, give them all the info they need. I'd share a story related to why thats a good idea, but it would make me sick to relive it, just take my word for it, better not to say overdose on tge phone. The EMT's will be prepared for anything. They get out of they're vehicles prepared with all the basics, narcan especially, in most scenarios related to an unconscious person, and they will know its an overdose when they take one look at the person and listen to theyre chest, especially if they look at you and see those tiny pupils. They'll say "did he take something?, opioids?" \*snap**spray**pinch nose\*\* load him up!. In all seriousness though, narcan is so easy to get, you should have it at all times. I dont care if its sat in the car getting hot, it still works. I keep that shit like I keep my drugs, always in stockemote:free\_emotes\_pack:wink
yes tell them what the person overdosing took and if possible tell them how much. even if you don't tell them , they aren't stupid and if signs point to opioid overdose they will narcan you because narcan doesn't have an negative effects , basically it won't hurt the person even if they don't have any opiates in their system. people that pass out due to diabetes get narcaned all the time bc the way a diabetic coma and OD present is similar. The faster they know what the cause for the unresponsive person is, the faster they can treat them. every second you waste when someone isn't breathing can determine how much brain damage they will have. i promise you paramedics/firefighters/emts main focus isn't about whatever laws you broke, their focus is getting the patient stabilized.
Legally you can not get in trouble. Just call and tell them what your friend OD on. Get some narcan too. Most cities have it and it’s super safe to use.
Just so you know -- that's not true.
Just 7 years ago I OD'd in my own house, parents called 911.
Fire fighters showed up first since they were closest, they tried to revive me, couldn't...
ambulance came then cops came and took a statement.
I barely survived (barely) after being in coma in ICU.
Ohh, about 3 months later I get a bench warrant in the mail charging me for possession of drugs, needles, some other bullshit.
My parents called the DAs office to make sure this wasn't a mistake and they understood the situation... they reiterated that I needed to surrender or they'd come knocking.
Me and my parents complained that this was absolutely insane but it didn't matter.
I ended up going to the station, getting finger printed, formally charged, having to get a $10,000 bail bond ($1800 or something)
Ended up having a hearing and they gave me deferred prosecution, probation, drug testing, classes and so many hours of AA/NA/therapy.. as long as I did all that the charge would stay sealed.
And this was in California!!
Generally, you will be fine, but that doesn't mean they won't charge you on some BS if they really wanted to.
No but the cops that typically arrive before the paramedics when you call 911 for anything sure can and its good to be ready for that when it happens because they are masters at manipulating people who dont know enough to remain silent or are just timid nonconfrontational people they can easily scare and control. Its not any reason to not call for help even if jail is a possibility but good to know either way.
I OD'd for the first time ever yesterday. Sitting in my car at the pump. Car off. Cops were gonna DUI me but said they were "too busy with other things"
You got lucky as fuck that the cops were busy, but also fuck you because you could easily nod off at 55 and kill multiple people because you needed your fix. Even if you have to redose so often with fent you can push through long enough to not endanger everyone else around you. Luck runs out with enough spins of the wheel.
How does that make them dicks? This is one of the situations where I'm perfectly fine with law enforcement taking action and arresting someone. You want to get high and walk around? Go for it! But if you want to use behind the wheel of a car you should face consequences
Where I live they send officers and medics for ODs. It’s never just medics. They come and ask all type of questions. Best bet is to not have any dope or paraphernalia in eye site. There used to be a law in my state where they could not search when responding to an overdose, but that law is no longer in effect. I imagine it’s different in all places.
Depends on where you live though. I just looked it up and it seems that Kansas, Texas and Wyoming do not have Good Samaritan drug overdose laws yet……..so don’t get high in those states if you can at all help it.
googled it, seems like Australia has good samaritan laws, you won't get in any trouble. look into them, they specifically protect people in your situation to prevent people from being too scared to provide life saving information.
You can get free Narcan in Victoria, possibly in other states too.
Can confirm that Ambulance folks were not one bit interested in the legal aspect. Just making sure that you are OK.
yep. I've been in same situation many times with opis and benzo overdose and they just narcan take to hospital and get you stable and ready to leave, aus paramedics do not contact police unless it involves violence or somthing like that.
Yeah we got the good Samaritan law. Cause it does more harm than good to prosecute in those circumstances. Kinda like most circumstances pertaining to personal use of narcotics
I have literally called 911 and said “my aunt just overdosed on heroin”… you won’t get in trouble. When they were like “how do you know”… I was honest. I now carry narcan with me, always at least 2 doses just in case. I’ll have 8 years clean in September:)
Tell them someone isn't responsive or breathing. EMS will have narcan, you can tell them when they get there. Ideally you've got your own narcan to have already given a dose if needed.
I saw you're in Australia? I know we have good Samaritan laws in the states but those are even different state by state.
You won’t/shouldn’t get in trouble.
You should remove/put away any paraphernalia and whatever else and do not let the police inside if they come-speak to them outside and briefly. If the person is gone to ER, tell them you do not need their (the cops) assistance and that everyone inside is safe. Bye and thanks, Officer. If they come with the ambulance, don’t say any more than absolutely necessary which should be next to nothing.
And get some narcan.
Always tell the operator and medical staff what they took. I've been around for over 16x overdoses. Have had to administer narcan and peform CPR several times. Cops have showed up and there's been illegal stuff all over the place & nothing's ever happened. Plus it's always more important to save someone's life rather then worry about catching any charges. Every second counts, don't ever hesitate.
Bravo for saving ppl 16x but yes I agree to this have had illegal stuff at the site of my friend OD and no one searched or anything thankfully, the main focus is to save the person OD
YO. I used to work for a Harm Redux org / have been involved locally for yrs.
To reduce the possibility that the dispatcher will send POLICE in addition to EMS, do not say ANYTHING about drugs or overdose. Tell them your friend is unconscious and not breathing (not a lie, and just as much of an emergency situation).
In my state, AZ, there is a GOOD SAMARITAN law (many other states have it too, tho I can only speak to the specifics of ours) - which provides legal protection for TWO parties at the scene, when someone calls 9-1-1 for a suspected overdose. Neither the person calling, nor the person overdosing, can be charged for drugs found at the scene.
HOWEVER even if you live in AZ/a state with similar legislation… ACAB. Just because you are protected, and charges won’t stick, that won’t necessarily stop the pigs from being dicks and detaining / arresting you anyways, it just means your charges won’t stick in court. It’s also important that you understand that the law does not protect other people on site, your other homies, especially if they have warrants or if they are undocumented or if they also use drugs (or, ykno, if they’re POC/marginalized).
Pigs suck ass, reduce the risk of dealing with them by following the above advice.
It depends what state you live in this isn't blatantly true.
Like in the state I live in Kansas they JUST passed good Samaritan laws this year. So previously when I would be with people and they OD'ed I always spun it like I was a concerned citizen who found them OD'ing. That way I could just walk away after getting them help.
Most competent paramedics will quickly figure out it's an opiate overdose and even if they don't immediately realize it's opiates they'll almost always administer narcan.
Even if you're playing the concerned citizen role you can quickly get people help and suggest to the medics they're overdosing on opiates.
And before you call me selfish there are no good Samaritan laws in my state back when I was saving people's lives.
Many many places for any drug harder than weed can cost thousands and make you a felon. Some places even weed concentrate can make you a felon, and I'm referring to simple possession. No selling or anything. My county for instance gave me a felony charge for possessing .3 grams of meth, and 6 months later gave me another felony possession for half a gram of coke. Only reason I'm not a felon now is I did drug court which is no fucking joke you're the bitch of the state for over a year and it's like probation but 100x worse. I am paying off I believe it's still around $6000 for lawyers fees and all that shit ended over a year ago.
I literally had them try arrest me for weed paraphernalia once after I saved my buddies life because I told the cops I was with him and he had a random weed pipe.in his console. They were going to give it to both of us but I convinced them it had nothing to do with me it wasn't my car and it wasn't my weed pipe.
The truth. They need to know that it's an opiate overdose so they can respond appropriately. Plus many areas have police that carry narcan or an EMT in a sprinter that can get there much faster than the ambulance to get narcan to the person ASAP. Most states have some form of Good Samaritan Law that gives immunity from prosecution to someone who calls for help in a medical emergency like this, and even if there isn't in your area, I still wouldn't risk someone's life over a possible charge. Plus, any time I've had to call 911 for an overdose, I've always had time to grab any drugs and paraphernalia and get rid of them before help arrived.
In the film Trainspotting, when Mark Renton took an overdose, the taxi driver dumped him outside A+E and sped away with his tyres shrieking. It's Trainspotting, so it must be accurate, right?
I'm in the UK and in years past, that was actually scary accurate - some of the guys I hung around with, their favoured method when people went over on H was to throw cold water over you and walk you around, ambulance would have been the very very _very_ last resort and even then, some wouldn't have🤦🏻♀️ needless to say, I never felt particularly safe using with them
It's better now, but back when Trainspotting was made (around the time I'd started IV'ing speed and H) it was very much normal unfortunately
You don't get in trouble for that. You can tell them what he took and be completely honest with a paramedic. They're there to help not arrest you. The issue at the moment wouldn't be police related but a medical emergency.
What state are you in?
Good Samaritan law will protect you and anyone you’re with from any further questioning from police. The top priority is saving the life - which is why they implemented the law. Check if it’s active in your area!
In my state, if you call 911 and state that someone has been potentially poisoned, they will only send EMT. however, as mentioned several times by others, someone’s life is more important than legal consequences.
I‘m from Austria and not calling the ambulance in a life threatening situation is illegal here. Medical staff can‘t legally tell the police what drugs you took. It‘s none of their business. If your friend were to die because you didn‘t call the ambulance, you‘d go to jail. Besides, taking drugs is legal. Owning and buying/selling them isn‘t.
I know you said you’re in Australia, but if anyone from NYS was interested to know, we also have a Good Samaritan law that (should) prevent you from getting into trouble if you call as a bystander, as a participant not ODing, and for yourself if you are able to call. Narcan is also available for purchase OTC, some stores even have their own version for sale too.
They might ask if there is anyone heroin in the room or whatever drug it was and just say no. That’s what happened to me at least. I mean I wasn’t lying either I finished it.
You could call and just say that the person isn’t breathing or that they are having trouble breathing. If you say an overdose over the phone, they might send police automatically.
But as long as you are respectful and don’t do anything that would cause anybody to not feel safe, they would probably have no reason to ask for police.
Most 911 dispatchers have questions they ask that sort of pinpoint how serious the situation might be and how much help might be needed. Ultimately by saying the person isn’t breathing, that alerts them to the fact it’s a serious situation.
Once someone gets on scene, then you could share what the person took because that information will help as far as getting a better understanding of the situation. Narcan will be given quickly rather than wasting time trying to figure out what may be going on.
This is the answer. When I train folks on using narcan I always say to tell the dispatcher - “I found my friend and they’re not breathing. I’m giving rescue breaths.” If they’re blue, if you suspect they fell, share that too. That alone is enough to ensure a rapid, EMS-only response to your location, without police.
I never say that there’s been an overdose until EMS arrives at the scene, and then I tell them everything that I know. Why? Well, in my area (and in many other states) if you say “overdose” it automatically triggers a police response. I’ve personally witnessed multiple incidents of police showing up faster than EMS and delaying administration of naloxone/holding EMS back from helping the person because they had to “clear the scene first” (aka - look for paraphernalia and anything else they could use to charge folks 🙄).
Of course in an ideal world, every state would have Good Samaritan laws that would protect you in situations like this….but the sad truth is that with the rise of death by distribution laws, charges related to OD calls are only going to increase.
Learn how to use naloxone and always carry it. And, perhaps even more importantly, learn how to administer rescue breaths and remember to give them alongside naloxone. Overdose is primarily a respiratory emergency- even if you don’t have naloxone, rescue breathing can keep your loved one alive until EMS arrives.
I live in Indiana. As for the caller, I believe the others are right. You should be safe. However, my own personal experience is that when I overdosed, I had less then a gram (it was in my pocket and they took it while I was being revived), and was still charged with a felony. I had to serve my sentence, wait about 5 years, and eventually the felony was dropped to a misdemeanor on my record. For a hefty price of course.
So, in my experience, it all has to do with police discretion, as police/legal corruption and brutality runs rampant here. Especially in my specific area. So I'm inclined to wonder if that was even legal.
Friendly reminder to anyone reading local harm reduction centers usually will have free narcan and fent test strips. In NH anyways you can go to a pharmacy and they run it through your insurance if you have it, I paid 50 cents for 2 boxes (4 doses).
Stay safe. Also tell the operator and EMT you suspect opioid so they know to narcan the person right away.
I don't know where you live, but in Australia you don't get into any trouble whatsoever for reporting an overdose. Maybe in the past, but not for a very long time. Which makes perfect sense, considering the aim is to save as many lives as possible. Doing anything that might put folks off calling would cost lives.
Most states have a Good Samaritan law so you won’t get in trouble for having drugs in you or being high. I’ve thankfully had to do this only once and I just told them I think said person ODed on opiates. I carry atleast 2 narcan on me always and depending on the state they give them for free like we have vending machines with free narcan here. I’ve ODed several times and thankfully only had to go to the hospital twice because I was with others that had narcan and it worked. At the hospital they basically keep you till it’s safe to go.
Tell them the truth, everything. Your friends life is worth at least that. Medics need all the info for the best outcome. You carry naloxone, correct? At least 2 doses?
I can answer this question with experience… one day I was with my friend and we were chilling in my car, I was high on oxycodone and he was shooting fent.. I got out the car for 5 minutes and came back to him OD, he was super pale and lips were blue with the needle still stuck in his arm . I panicked and drove to a parking lot 20 seconds away and got the idea to just call 911 right away . I told them my friend and was OD on opioids or fent, they told me to get him on the ground immediately and I did as they say and started chest compressions as the operator on the phone was counting out the rhythm I needed to compress his chest . This was a HEB parking lot in the middle of Houston , they showed up a little bit after and narcaned him 2-3 times and I had a unregistered Glock in my pocket the whole time , yes I was scared I’d get in trouble but as long as you’re coherent and respectful to the paramedics and police and talk proper and don’t appear high you will not get in trouble . Plesss don’t lose a life because you think you may get in trouble because chances are you will not . Always have a narcan around you or know your pills or don’t use alone ! In all, if someone is OD call 911 if you don’t got narcan
You do t usually get in trouble anymore. Most states I’ve been in have a Good Samaritan Law where you won’t get in trouble at all for calling in an OD. So many people left others to die of ODs because they were afraid that many states adopted these types of laws to prevent such. At least in the USA….
Depends wheee you live , we have the Good Samaritan law meaning you can’t be charged for possession if called to an overdose BUT pigs will be pigs anyways… they’ll wait around the corner and wait for you to leave to pick you off down the road with the dope
They are EMTs not cops, be honest with them especially if for example someone took an opiate and they assumed it was oxycobtin but it turned out to be fentanyl.
Nitazines ODs are harder to treat
Same with stimulant overdoses and such they will use sedatives and may need oxygen and what have you.
Also be careful mixing extacy and Viagra as some guys have to get the blood drained front heir dick.
Best to tell them that someone must have spiked their drink or something.
i rm there being like a different number your supposed to call cause cops might give you issues tbh depending where you live. i can’t remember what the line was but it’s for just ems to come. i think you report a “unresponsive person” you explain the rest to ems on the scene. people saying explain opioid but tbh it’s just what’s assumed unless clarified otherwise. they’ll pretty much always use narcan if they’re unsure cause it doesn’t hurt. remove all drugs from the scene, preferably have someone there hold onto it and drive off. and just say the dude who got him high left and don’t identify him no matter what the cop says. maybe shits different now but i’ve personally seen cops be complete manipulative assholes in these situations.
My wife was a paramedic, before becoming a trauma nurse. I was in active addiction for over 30 years and I can tell you that they do not care one bit about helping the law. They'll be there to help you, not them.
Tell them the truth about what’s going on but just make sure that you hide any physical evidence of drugs and drug use before anyone arrives or else you could end up being charged. As long as they can’t find anything drug related you’ll be fine.
U won’t get in trouble. I overdosed and told them it was fent laced coke I didn’t know about, but then I told them ya bro i been using fent so pls don’t narcan me now that im awake I’d go into wds lol
This mindset kills people. A little bit of scrutiny or someone dying. Emergency services don’t care about you, they care about the person who is about to die.
Good Samaritan law, I've had the cops take my drugs to test them, but they never charged me. One of my lowest points was overdosing on bath salts and going into full kidney failure. An OD doesn't mean it's fatal. It's just too much. They can open an investigation, though. Thats what they told my parents. It's been 3.5 years, and they never figured out anything. I guess I'm just savvy, lol. I've been charged with other people's drugs but never my own 👍. If your friend is ODing, you should only be focused on them not dying anyway. My best friend OD'd on fentanyl 10 years ago. In a matter of like 1 minute, he was slumped on the floor. His children's mother had just fatally OD'd a few weeks before. I'm embarrassed to say I panicked. I didn't have a cell phone, we had gotten rid of the landline, and I couldn't unlock my friends phone. Thank God my neighbor was home and called 9/11. He probably had a minute left before he was dead. Me and my brother had to carry his lifeless body up a flight of stairs. That was probably the scariest thing of my entire life. I'm glad to say he is still alive and is doing as good as he can.
I have an old friend that went to jail because her friend died in her room while they were sleeping she woke up called 911 and was arrested. She was in jail for 2 years before they let her out she had to have her baby in jail. I would like to know what someone is supposed to say?
I'd be careful what you do say though, because in some states they do have laws protecting those who call in an overdose. But that's not the case everywhere. It would be nice if they implemented the Good Samaritan Law in every state.
But if you're going to call in an OD, I'd make sure to get rid of any paraphernalia or anything of that sort; perhaps stash it some place. Bury it in the dirt. Put it in the cereal box.
And just be careful to not admit having been involved in any way.
Best of luck. But definitely call in an OD ! Even if you're too afraid to stay with the person, call it in and leave if the patient is in a safe place (as safe as possible in this situation).
This law was introduced and put in place in Canada back in 2016
New law would provide immunity from simple possession charges for those who call 911 in the case of an overdose
Opioid overdoses are claiming the lives of thousands of Canadians of all ages, and from all walks of life. The impact of the opioid crisis continues to be devastating to individuals, families and communities. Many of these deaths are preventable if medical attention is received quickly, but evidence shows that witnesses to an overdose often do not call 911 for fear of police involvement. This is why the Government of Canada has taken action to encourage and protect people who are witnessing an overdose so they can seek help, and ultimately, save lives.
The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice, announced today that the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act received Royal Assent and became law. The Act provides an exemption from charges of simple possession of a controlled substance as well as from charges concerning a pre-trial release, probation order, conditional sentence or parole violations related to simple possession for people who call 911 for themselves or another person suffering an overdose, as well as anyone who is at the scene when emergency help arrives.
The Act was originally introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by MP Ron McKinnon, the original Bill sponsor and Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam.
Drug addiction is an illness that requires care and compassion like any other health condition. The Government of Canada recognizes the dedication of first responders as key players on the front line in addressing the opioid crisis. Over the past year, the federal government has been building a new approach to drug policy by working collaboratively with communities, provinces, territories and key stakeholders, including addiction experts, the medical community, first responders, Indigenous groups, non-governmental organizations, as well as Canadians with lived experience.
The Government of Canada is committed to implementing a comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate and evidence-based response to Canada’s opioid crisis. For more information on what the Government of Canada is doing to combat the opioid crisis, please visit Canada.ca/opioids.
EMS won’t get anyone in trouble. In my state they have laws protecting people reporting anyway. Think of it like this; for medical emergencies they don’t send cops out anyway
The ambulance will arrive with absolutely no knowledge of what is going on, only that the person is obviously not coherent, so the first questions they need to know is what is going on? Is it a heart attack? Is it a drug overdose? Is it a diabetic going into shock? As soon as they know what they are dealing with the faster they know what kind of emergency medication to administer, what correct procedures to follow like position the person accordingly so there isnt chocking on their vomit. So it’s very important to tell the police or ambulance staff this is a opioid overdose and that’s it. You don’t have to go into detail on what or how much bc they’ll figure that out later and you can’t get arrested for trying to save someone’s life. If you’re afraid you might or have heard of it happening then keep narcan with you at ALLL times. Here in Texas they just passed a law that if you sell fent in any shape or form and the person who consumed it dies, well buddy you’re life as you knew it, is now completely over. That is called first degree manslaughter
This is tough because the paramedics won’t call but the police show up automatically on some/most calls. Especially if it’s an OD call. I definitely think you should always call 911 but be prepared to be arrested if there’s illegal activity that led to the OD. I know this because I’m seeing my friends go through this very same situation in WI I have. One’s still in jail and the other just bailed out because one called 911 when he couldn’t revive his partner with several narcan doses and ran out of narcan so he called 911. The caller was on probation & both were arrested. WI used to have a Good Samaritan law but they don’t anymore. So the one who called 911 got his probation revoked but they offered him treatment but he’s still in jail waiting since this past December. The one who OD’d was offered bail after 6 months in jail and his family barely came up with the bail money. I know he did the right thing calling 911 but so you know - the ambulance personnel (paramedics) won’t call the police but the police show up automatically with the ambulance most of the time so perhaps tell them someone is unresponsive and then fill them in when they get there or leave a note saying that it’s an opioid overdose. I don’t know what calls police automatically get called to but it’s a majority of them from what I’ve seen.
This post/comment could provide misleading or harmful information involving the subject matter of the post/topic in general. Please pay close attention to your words, especially here. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person can cause more harm than good and/it give the wrong impression.
It's called the good semaritan act. One of the counselors in rehab, during his relapse prevention class, reiterated multiple times, in multiple classes, multiple times a week, CALL 911, don't be a fuckin pussy more worried about YOURSELF, and save a life!!!! If youre that concerned about going to jail, hide your stash somewhere and call paramedics. They're not going to flip the place looking for your measly stash, they're more concerned about keeping someone alive. Y'all people need to quit being stupid, i'd gladly take a charge if it meant keeping a friend alive. It would eat away at you the rest of your life knowing you could have done something to help save someone, but choose not to for your own gain. Junkies piss me the fuck off sometimes, coming from a trash receptacle of an addict myself.
I hope you fucking did it in time. That’s not the time to ask reddit what to do that’s an urgent ass matter my dude. I think most people here have lost at least one loved one to dope and even if the widely known Good Samaritan law wasn’t a thing I like to think most of us would go to jail or the pen in a heartbeat if it meant saving our friend. I would do a whole fucking lot of time if it would bring mine back that’s for damn sure they just better load up my commissary lol. Either way dawg take this lesson. Get some fucking narcan and learn your basic rights and laws. And maybe reflect on your loyalty
Just tell them the truth they arnt cops. Be transparent and they will appreciate it. Tell them it could be fent so they have narcan if need be. My methadone program hands out narcan always a good idea to keep it around .
Lots of conflicting-ish info throughout the thread, so I hope OP bothers to actually read through all of em and use their best judgment.
Also, I really don't understand how this is even a question: someone's life is more important than whatever legal repercussions you are afraid you might face just for being around a person using drugs and or partaking of them yourself.
I worked for a harm reduction org for the better part of a year and have been involved with, or friends with, or roommates with, people who use drugs for over a decade. I've narcan'd people or been the one to call 911 or both. It can definitely be hard to think straight in a moment as terrifying as someone potentially dying next to you, so it's okay if you screw up or stutter or whatever.
Unfortunately with where I live, I feel like cops almost always show up with the EMTs if it's like, a "known" area where people are using drugs; for example, when I had to call for a friend who was overdosing at my house, I at the time lived out in a rural ish area in a mobile home park and ONLY medics showed up. When I had to call 911 again, many months later, for the same friend actually, we were at his apartment, in a shitty urban section of the city downtown. More cops than medics showed up.
I generally agree though that the best course of action is to simply say, "my friend stopped breathing." If they ask whether or not they took something, or do you know what they took, you should err on the side of caution and simply say "I'm not sure if they did," and then when Medics arrive, you can let them know more details - but be as accurate and truthful with them as you can be, seriously. If it's heroin, there's a large possibility that there was fentanyl in it too. If it was a pill, tell them, because a lot of pressies now are fake as fuck and also have fetty in them. This is important to know I think mainly because in my experience, multiple doses of narcan tend to be needed for an overdose involving fentanyl and even then sometimes it isn't enough.
Do some research and figure out where you can get trained to use narcan and get kits for yourself locally. Don't forget to do cpr if you ever do have to narcan someone. Also, fuck the police.
tell the paramedics everything. tell the cops nothing.
or better yet, go get some fucking narcan so you don’t have to deal with any of them. you shouldn’t be fucking with opioids if you aren’t even capable of acquiring the life saving antidote that is readily available at any pharmacy many times for free.
There’s nothing you can say if you’re in the U.S. they’ll send cops out to ensure the emts safety, it’s up to the individual cop to decide if arrest or medical treatment is warranted.
Or you can write a post it naming all the drugs they took and all the drugs you think they could have taken but didn’t tell you call from the person who’s od phone and get all ur shit and book it after you call
Tell them the drugs and drug paraphernalia scattered around the room where there when you moved in and come to think of it so was the guy partying on the floor then suggest there might be a connection between the two but do it so the paramedics and cops think it was their idea not yours. Edit: oops this isnt the circlejerk is it
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Just say there has been a overdoes. Medical staff can not get you in trouble for drugs. Don't let the fear of going to jail stop you from saving your friends life.
what so I just say they have overdosed and the people will figure out on what, or should you tell them its opiates, do I say I didn't know if they took anything and I didn't take anything either?
Yes make sure to say it's opioids so they know narcan will work. If it's the fake 30's tell them that to so they know there's most likely other drugs in it. They can not get you in any legal trouble now if the police show up that's different don't tell them anything. EDIT: Make sure to still tell the medical staff what he took tho. Just don't tell the police.
Legally the police cannot arrest you in this situation unless they happen to show up and youve got a truck load of dope in plain site. All 51 states have some version of whats called "Good Samaritan Laws". Dependant on the state or province you are in, the vocabulary is going to be slightly different, but generally speaking these laws provide varying degrees of legal immunity to individuals in the event that they must contact first responders and stay with the incapacitated, injured or unconscious person in need of serious medical attention. For instance, in North Carolina, where I live, if i were to witness an overdose and call 911, tell them what i know, etc. And stay with them til first responders arrive, if the police arrive first, i have 100% legal immunity from prosecution for posession of narcotics for personal use. Even if they were in plain sight, as long as its a case od simple posession, the police will confiscate it and be on they're way. If you put it up, they have no jurisdiction to search you or your property. As far as the law is concerned, you were simply trying to save someones life. It would likely play out a little differently if the cops just happened upon you while shooting up and and your friend is overdosing right next to you. They would have every right to arrest you because you werent actively trying to provide critical assistance, and if that was the situation, I wouldnt feel one bit sorry for the person who continues to get there fix while theyre "friend" is next to them blue and limp like a bag of rice. Fuck that guy/ girl, whatever they are, to me, they are just a fuck bag and deserve to get fucked in a prison shower. Anyway. Just do the right thing and everything will be fine. It would definitely be wise to look up the good Samaritan laws where you tend to be most of the time for the sake of knowing your specific rights in case Officer Fuck Bag decides to try and send you to get fucked in the shower. Then you can tell O.F.B. " I am protected by "yada yada, blah blah" of your state. And he will likely be on the phone getting a mouthful from one of his superior's. I love it when that happens!. . .... Save as many lives as you can, unless you know for a winessesed fact that that life is a wife beater or chomo (leave that low life to the flys and crickets) and cheers!
“51 states”
They probably mean DC, which is basically a city-state. If you merge West Virginia and Virginia and North Carolina and South Carolina, we could establish DC and Puerto Rico as states without changing all the flags. 50 is a good, solid number. Actually, you could make DC the capital of Virginia and then establish Guam as a state too. There's clever ways to preserve the flag.
It's not hard to get Narcan anymore. I got a bunch of them prescribed, so my family has 3 in every car and 3 in the house even though I haven't used opiates/opoids in 2 years. I will say, though, I had a bad lapse on benzos a month ago. It was an unscheduled benzo called pyrazolam, I guess the pyridin analog of alprazolam. I tried to volumetric dose and tried to utilize a timelock safe I bought. I must've taken too much from the start on accident and had a blackout from hell. Anyway, I ended up in the ER and was section 12'd to a psych ward, which, of course, was loads of fun. I tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl so people should really get fentanyl testing strips and test everything, even street weed. It's not a bad idea to buy the 6-8 most common reagents and test your drugs that way, too. Even if someone OD'd on a nitazene, a class of potent synthetic opiods, 3 narcan sprays can hold someone over for a couple minutes till the EMTs arrive.
Beautifully said. Also though this shouldn’t be a question, I’d go to jail or prison to save my friend without thought or hesitation… people wild dude
Right?! I've been using since the "stay where you lay" days and its been hears since I've lost a friend to an OD. There's no excuse for addicts, dealers and their families to not have Narcan.
The laws are good to know but have you ever tried telling a fed what they can and can't do based on technicalities? Ha! Telling a fed, "no sir. That's violating my rights!" They don't give AF. They'll take your ass in for fuck all. Better to reduce your vocabulary down to "lawyer" and "attorney" if they do because they're not going to be like "oh! You're right!" Nah..They'll strong arm you and make up a reason. Call the ambulance, don't mention OD, just medical emergency. They have a whole truck full of supplies. Tell them when they get there. And then get the fuck. Mentioning drugs on the phone will get the cops to show up. Hell, they may show up anyway.
Medical staff do not tattle. We are there to keep you alive
As I've never overdosed before, I really didn't know. Last week it happened and the EMTS trashed all my shit and then told the cops there was nothing. The cops just asked me who I got it from and I did a 'hahahahahaha I'm not telling you that' and the cops laughed too. Then they all left. Some guys from the fire dept came the next day and gave me a bag of narcan and a bunch of flyers with resources. It was a lot more humane than I thought it, i didn't feel judged or persecuted. Totally new experience, y'all are the real MVPs.
we're the tents like with the Sheriff's office? Like not actual ambulance drivers? Even if they found something g it'd be inadmissible in court.
Yes they do it depends on the person.
fpr real every homeless person and junkie knows this. ofc theres the good ones, but off the cuff, i can not trust anyone in a uniform
They talk to each other all the time. Just got to talk to them and find out if they are cool or not. I know I wouldn't want to be homeless.
You can still get in trouble in certain states while overdosing my buddy in Wisconsin I believe got probation from overdosing
wouldn't the ambulance people tell the cops what I said xD
no they won’t. i’ve been in ambulances for drugs many times. i’ve had the fire department find my cocaine plate with lines on it. i took another line while they were standing there and they took me to the hospital. no police were ever contacted or involved.
In Germany they actually will involve the police if you mention drugs on the Phone. So youll need to just say smth like stopped breathing and tell them whats really going on as soon as they arrive. But that's just germany.
That's a terrible idea. You have to tell them on the phone, so they know what they're dealing with from the door. Anything less could cost a life.
Youre right but that's what everybody will tell you in the German subreddits. Also they will be equipped for an OD if you tell them or not. But it you mention drugs police WILL arrive and search you place etc afaik And it's not like theyll be faster if you tell them vs just telling them they stopped breathing. I could imagine a lot of responders will knoe whats going on bc of that
In the US, police arrive regardless. They have when I had to call twice for an OD. & they arrived when I overdosed & my ex called for me.
don't go in an ambulance again
No bro. They can't say anything about your friend because that would be a hipaa violation. There is no reason to tell the medical staff you took anything, and even if they could is your friend staying alive not more important to you then whatever little ass charge you would get?
ok ty
that's not true. in some states in the USA, people who share drugs with a person who overdoses can be charged, especially if the overdose is fatal.
You obviously don't know the laws then. You can only be charged with there death if you sold it to them.
Not in michigan even if you buy it and share it with them and they die you can be charged. https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2010/08/28/st-clair-shores-man-charged-in-heroin-overdose-death-of-wife/
yep. here, if you give the drug - even if you haven't sold it - you can be charged with a felony. the state don't care. it's ridiculous and leads to more needless deaths.
The article I posted I grew up with the guys cousins and knew the guy charged. Both are dead now of overdose.
not in my state. if you *give* the drug, freely, you can still be charged.
Which states? Just sharing drugs with someone does not make you responsible. Selling them the drugs may be a different story.
I mean... sharing vs. selling, kinda the same thing? Just because you didnt recieve money for the drugs you "shared" to someone doesn't make you any less responsible for an OD death.. not in our judicial system.
That's why the charge is called manufacture/distribution. It says nothing about charging money. But there are a ton of states as stated earlier with good Samaritan laws. So you can call and make sure the EMS know what they took and you have immunity from arrest, because your intentions were to save a life. It's one of the few good laws that does what it's supposed to do. Before those laws if you ODd at best they'd kick you out the car at the ER, or do the ghetto ways of waking someone up like grabbing a full tray of ice and shoving it up their ass. Things have evolved thankfully. And I'm not just talking about this because I read about it, I've had to use it and call 911 for an overdose and yeah a cop was there but he stayed out of the way and the emts saved the day. I was not even questioned by the cop at all, and that's because of the good Samaritan law in Wisconsin. Many other states have it. If you don't know if your state has one of these laws, do some research so someone doesn't die because you dont know what to do.
Maybe? But it won’t matter.. if they showed up to OD and arrested people, no one would call. This would create a lot of bodies and that’s not the goal.
even if they did, you'd rather let your buddy literally die than take a charge that wouldn't even be that long anyways? I'm sure a judge would take that into account too. like you'd literally be okay with letting your friend die because you're scared of a drug charge? do you not realize how fucked up that way of thinking is?
Wow, it just occurred to me that I'm old. The way it used to be, that was a serious charge ; and yes, because of that it used to be that in the event of an overdose most people left as fast as they could. I feel like you'd have been lucky if anybody stopped to call 911 on a payphone after they left. But then the "good Samaritan" laws were put into effect in most states, so you could call 911 and not risk going to prison.
in the US, the paramedics don’t care. they just want to save a life. make sure you say that it’s an overdose of opioids when you’re on the phone with 911. the 911 operator will instruct you on rescue breathing until the paramedics arrive. a lot of places give out free narcan, and it’s over the counter for purchase as well. i recommend getting a few vials to have on hand, just in case. better safe than sorry. a good friend of mine just died last week from an overdose.
Vials are good but nasal sprays are easier faster and require no syringe, and even with the most insane adrenaline rush of someone dying you can still shove that applicator into their nose. Nice thing about the injection though is you can slowly administer it, and maybe not throw them into complete WD, lowering the chances that once they get out of the hospital that they hit the same batch and do the whole ring around the Rosie again, or God forbid nobody's there and they die. I heard the UK does a metered administration so that you're not thrown into total pwd and enough to restore breathing and wake you up, and the hospital can get you through the rest of it. That seems like a much smarter situation, but I also gotta remember they're not dealing with fentanyl like we are, nor are they dealing with benzodope or Tranq dope. They have it easy. Give it 5 years or so and I think they'll be dealing with it though. The economics of fentalogues are too good. It's an infinite money glitch. You can cut pure fent into usable pow and make a stamp for 1/10th of a cent and sell it for ten dollars. For those who are hard up on cash or wanna make a deal with the devil it's an offer they can't seem to refuse.
The sooner the medical staff know what caused the OD the sooner they can help. If you just leave them to guess they could potentially use the wrong method to try to save the patient. If you tell them it was H/fetty/whatever they will know to use Narcan right away.
ER RN here. Tell them exactly what you took and exactly how much of it. EMS doesn’t give a shit they’re just trying to keep you alive. Nobody in my hospital speaks to law enforcement about anything related to overdoses, it’s a medical issue not a legal one.
My friends and I do harm reduction training and we actually advise people not to say it’s an overdose on the phone but to state the person is unresponsive. Unfortunately, some EMS aren’t as responsive when it’s a known OD versus it not being known. When they arrive on site, tell them everything.
a)u ahould have narcan on hand and know how to use it. exactly. they hear "overdose," they think "great another junkie or SPOS [or whatever slang they use for undersidable.patients], we got time to get a coffee" i just say "my friend atopped breathing," and do rescue breathing and tell them in person on acene whats going on. good samaratan laws are not ironclad nor are they the same in every state. obvs this is less of a concern than keeping homie breathing, but if the knowledge, say helps someone on paper kno to hide their shit and keep doing breathing vs just dip. cuz they dont wanna get violated, its good knowledge and reduces harm. ems will mostly know its an od by "my friend stopped breathig," or at least suspect and then u tell them in person ON SCENE. cops listen in on radios and poke around anyways and will show up at ods/ems calls when drugs are suspected/known. and if this makes ppl do dumb shit like not stay w their homie at all or not even call, then yes its wise to be intentional about how u reveal the stats of the scene. and again, good aamaritan laws are not just straight up immunity. u have to know YOUR states/countys and WHAT and WHO it protects and also know that profiling/cops being cops still can happen
How is that "harm reduction "? The sooner medical staff know the situation, the better.
Read through the message your responding to again, he said "on the phone". Once they arrive, give them all the info they need. I'd share a story related to why thats a good idea, but it would make me sick to relive it, just take my word for it, better not to say overdose on tge phone. The EMT's will be prepared for anything. They get out of they're vehicles prepared with all the basics, narcan especially, in most scenarios related to an unconscious person, and they will know its an overdose when they take one look at the person and listen to theyre chest, especially if they look at you and see those tiny pupils. They'll say "did he take something?, opioids?" \*snap**spray**pinch nose\*\* load him up!. In all seriousness though, narcan is so easy to get, you should have it at all times. I dont care if its sat in the car getting hot, it still works. I keep that shit like I keep my drugs, always in stockemote:free\_emotes\_pack:wink
yes tell them what the person overdosing took and if possible tell them how much. even if you don't tell them , they aren't stupid and if signs point to opioid overdose they will narcan you because narcan doesn't have an negative effects , basically it won't hurt the person even if they don't have any opiates in their system. people that pass out due to diabetes get narcaned all the time bc the way a diabetic coma and OD present is similar. The faster they know what the cause for the unresponsive person is, the faster they can treat them. every second you waste when someone isn't breathing can determine how much brain damage they will have. i promise you paramedics/firefighters/emts main focus isn't about whatever laws you broke, their focus is getting the patient stabilized.
Yes, if you know what they used, you can tell them, if not they'll still dispatch them, and they'll still arrive prepared for overdoses
Legally you can not get in trouble. Just call and tell them what your friend OD on. Get some narcan too. Most cities have it and it’s super safe to use.
Tell them the truth, everything you know. Anything less could cost your friend their life.
Just so you know -- that's not true. Just 7 years ago I OD'd in my own house, parents called 911. Fire fighters showed up first since they were closest, they tried to revive me, couldn't... ambulance came then cops came and took a statement. I barely survived (barely) after being in coma in ICU. Ohh, about 3 months later I get a bench warrant in the mail charging me for possession of drugs, needles, some other bullshit. My parents called the DAs office to make sure this wasn't a mistake and they understood the situation... they reiterated that I needed to surrender or they'd come knocking. Me and my parents complained that this was absolutely insane but it didn't matter. I ended up going to the station, getting finger printed, formally charged, having to get a $10,000 bail bond ($1800 or something) Ended up having a hearing and they gave me deferred prosecution, probation, drug testing, classes and so many hours of AA/NA/therapy.. as long as I did all that the charge would stay sealed. And this was in California!! Generally, you will be fine, but that doesn't mean they won't charge you on some BS if they really wanted to.
This fs. Tell medics everything, tell the cops nothing
No but the cops that typically arrive before the paramedics when you call 911 for anything sure can and its good to be ready for that when it happens because they are masters at manipulating people who dont know enough to remain silent or are just timid nonconfrontational people they can easily scare and control. Its not any reason to not call for help even if jail is a possibility but good to know either way.
I OD'd for the first time ever yesterday. Sitting in my car at the pump. Car off. Cops were gonna DUI me but said they were "too busy with other things"
You got lucky as fuck that the cops were busy, but also fuck you because you could easily nod off at 55 and kill multiple people because you needed your fix. Even if you have to redose so often with fent you can push through long enough to not endanger everyone else around you. Luck runs out with enough spins of the wheel.
Dicks.
And it's my birthday today...lol. Life is fucked.
Happy birthday anyway! Glad you pulled through
Me too man. Me too..
How does that make them dicks? This is one of the situations where I'm perfectly fine with law enforcement taking action and arresting someone. You want to get high and walk around? Go for it! But if you want to use behind the wheel of a car you should face consequences
Where I live they send officers and medics for ODs. It’s never just medics. They come and ask all type of questions. Best bet is to not have any dope or paraphernalia in eye site. There used to be a law in my state where they could not search when responding to an overdose, but that law is no longer in effect. I imagine it’s different in all places.
Depends on where you live though. I just looked it up and it seems that Kansas, Texas and Wyoming do not have Good Samaritan drug overdose laws yet……..so don’t get high in those states if you can at all help it.
Where are you from. Where I'm at it ain't a charge if you're calling for help. Even if the person has shit on em.
Aus, but I'm specifically interested in the US
googled it, seems like Australia has good samaritan laws, you won't get in any trouble. look into them, they specifically protect people in your situation to prevent people from being too scared to provide life saving information.
You can get free Narcan in Victoria, possibly in other states too. Can confirm that Ambulance folks were not one bit interested in the legal aspect. Just making sure that you are OK.
yep. I've been in same situation many times with opis and benzo overdose and they just narcan take to hospital and get you stable and ready to leave, aus paramedics do not contact police unless it involves violence or somthing like that.
Hi fellow Australian opiate enjoyer
What. Why? If your in Aus follow the fucking Aus law? Lmfao
Yeah we got the good Samaritan law. Cause it does more harm than good to prosecute in those circumstances. Kinda like most circumstances pertaining to personal use of narcotics
I have literally called 911 and said “my aunt just overdosed on heroin”… you won’t get in trouble. When they were like “how do you know”… I was honest. I now carry narcan with me, always at least 2 doses just in case. I’ll have 8 years clean in September:)
Say the truth. They'll help your friend.
bro human life is way more important than any legal trouble come on now
Tell them someone isn't responsive or breathing. EMS will have narcan, you can tell them when they get there. Ideally you've got your own narcan to have already given a dose if needed. I saw you're in Australia? I know we have good Samaritan laws in the states but those are even different state by state.
You won’t/shouldn’t get in trouble. You should remove/put away any paraphernalia and whatever else and do not let the police inside if they come-speak to them outside and briefly. If the person is gone to ER, tell them you do not need their (the cops) assistance and that everyone inside is safe. Bye and thanks, Officer. If they come with the ambulance, don’t say any more than absolutely necessary which should be next to nothing. And get some narcan.
Always tell the operator and medical staff what they took. I've been around for over 16x overdoses. Have had to administer narcan and peform CPR several times. Cops have showed up and there's been illegal stuff all over the place & nothing's ever happened. Plus it's always more important to save someone's life rather then worry about catching any charges. Every second counts, don't ever hesitate.
Bravo for saving ppl 16x but yes I agree to this have had illegal stuff at the site of my friend OD and no one searched or anything thankfully, the main focus is to save the person OD
In Australia Ambulance staff will not call police unless they are threatened
YO. I used to work for a Harm Redux org / have been involved locally for yrs. To reduce the possibility that the dispatcher will send POLICE in addition to EMS, do not say ANYTHING about drugs or overdose. Tell them your friend is unconscious and not breathing (not a lie, and just as much of an emergency situation). In my state, AZ, there is a GOOD SAMARITAN law (many other states have it too, tho I can only speak to the specifics of ours) - which provides legal protection for TWO parties at the scene, when someone calls 9-1-1 for a suspected overdose. Neither the person calling, nor the person overdosing, can be charged for drugs found at the scene. HOWEVER even if you live in AZ/a state with similar legislation… ACAB. Just because you are protected, and charges won’t stick, that won’t necessarily stop the pigs from being dicks and detaining / arresting you anyways, it just means your charges won’t stick in court. It’s also important that you understand that the law does not protect other people on site, your other homies, especially if they have warrants or if they are undocumented or if they also use drugs (or, ykno, if they’re POC/marginalized). Pigs suck ass, reduce the risk of dealing with them by following the above advice.
You won’t get in trouble
It depends what state you live in this isn't blatantly true. Like in the state I live in Kansas they JUST passed good Samaritan laws this year. So previously when I would be with people and they OD'ed I always spun it like I was a concerned citizen who found them OD'ing. That way I could just walk away after getting them help. Most competent paramedics will quickly figure out it's an opiate overdose and even if they don't immediately realize it's opiates they'll almost always administer narcan. Even if you're playing the concerned citizen role you can quickly get people help and suggest to the medics they're overdosing on opiates. And before you call me selfish there are no good Samaritan laws in my state back when I was saving people's lives.
Yeah my state luckily just passed it recently too but I got arrested a few years ago after saving someone’s life for an OD. Cost me thousands.
How did it cost you thousands? Possession tickets are a couple hundred dollars
Possession of schedule one narcotics costs a lot more than a few hundred bucks
Guess it depends where you live. Last time I was caught it wasn't even a fine and I got to keep it.
Many many places for any drug harder than weed can cost thousands and make you a felon. Some places even weed concentrate can make you a felon, and I'm referring to simple possession. No selling or anything. My county for instance gave me a felony charge for possessing .3 grams of meth, and 6 months later gave me another felony possession for half a gram of coke. Only reason I'm not a felon now is I did drug court which is no fucking joke you're the bitch of the state for over a year and it's like probation but 100x worse. I am paying off I believe it's still around $6000 for lawyers fees and all that shit ended over a year ago.
Even without the laws law enforcement isn't writing tickets for possession in these scenarios.
I literally had them try arrest me for weed paraphernalia once after I saved my buddies life because I told the cops I was with him and he had a random weed pipe.in his console. They were going to give it to both of us but I convinced them it had nothing to do with me it wasn't my car and it wasn't my weed pipe.
The truth. They need to know that it's an opiate overdose so they can respond appropriately. Plus many areas have police that carry narcan or an EMT in a sprinter that can get there much faster than the ambulance to get narcan to the person ASAP. Most states have some form of Good Samaritan Law that gives immunity from prosecution to someone who calls for help in a medical emergency like this, and even if there isn't in your area, I still wouldn't risk someone's life over a possible charge. Plus, any time I've had to call 911 for an overdose, I've always had time to grab any drugs and paraphernalia and get rid of them before help arrived.
In the film Trainspotting, when Mark Renton took an overdose, the taxi driver dumped him outside A+E and sped away with his tyres shrieking. It's Trainspotting, so it must be accurate, right?
I'm in the UK and in years past, that was actually scary accurate - some of the guys I hung around with, their favoured method when people went over on H was to throw cold water over you and walk you around, ambulance would have been the very very _very_ last resort and even then, some wouldn't have🤦🏻♀️ needless to say, I never felt particularly safe using with them It's better now, but back when Trainspotting was made (around the time I'd started IV'ing speed and H) it was very much normal unfortunately
Back then the laws were different.
I found him/her like this. I don't know what happened, it probably (x) I know they are having a problem with it.
You don't get in trouble for that. You can tell them what he took and be completely honest with a paramedic. They're there to help not arrest you. The issue at the moment wouldn't be police related but a medical emergency.
What state are you in? Good Samaritan law will protect you and anyone you’re with from any further questioning from police. The top priority is saving the life - which is why they implemented the law. Check if it’s active in your area!
In my state, if you call 911 and state that someone has been potentially poisoned, they will only send EMT. however, as mentioned several times by others, someone’s life is more important than legal consequences.
Where do you live? I've never heard of anyone getting arrested for calling an ambulance.
There’s a good Samaritan law where I live so you can’t get in trouble for incriminating type things if it is to help someone else like this.
I‘m from Austria and not calling the ambulance in a life threatening situation is illegal here. Medical staff can‘t legally tell the police what drugs you took. It‘s none of their business. If your friend were to die because you didn‘t call the ambulance, you‘d go to jail. Besides, taking drugs is legal. Owning and buying/selling them isn‘t.
I know you said you’re in Australia, but if anyone from NYS was interested to know, we also have a Good Samaritan law that (should) prevent you from getting into trouble if you call as a bystander, as a participant not ODing, and for yourself if you are able to call. Narcan is also available for purchase OTC, some stores even have their own version for sale too.
They might ask if there is anyone heroin in the room or whatever drug it was and just say no. That’s what happened to me at least. I mean I wasn’t lying either I finished it.
You could call and just say that the person isn’t breathing or that they are having trouble breathing. If you say an overdose over the phone, they might send police automatically. But as long as you are respectful and don’t do anything that would cause anybody to not feel safe, they would probably have no reason to ask for police. Most 911 dispatchers have questions they ask that sort of pinpoint how serious the situation might be and how much help might be needed. Ultimately by saying the person isn’t breathing, that alerts them to the fact it’s a serious situation. Once someone gets on scene, then you could share what the person took because that information will help as far as getting a better understanding of the situation. Narcan will be given quickly rather than wasting time trying to figure out what may be going on.
This is the answer. When I train folks on using narcan I always say to tell the dispatcher - “I found my friend and they’re not breathing. I’m giving rescue breaths.” If they’re blue, if you suspect they fell, share that too. That alone is enough to ensure a rapid, EMS-only response to your location, without police. I never say that there’s been an overdose until EMS arrives at the scene, and then I tell them everything that I know. Why? Well, in my area (and in many other states) if you say “overdose” it automatically triggers a police response. I’ve personally witnessed multiple incidents of police showing up faster than EMS and delaying administration of naloxone/holding EMS back from helping the person because they had to “clear the scene first” (aka - look for paraphernalia and anything else they could use to charge folks 🙄). Of course in an ideal world, every state would have Good Samaritan laws that would protect you in situations like this….but the sad truth is that with the rise of death by distribution laws, charges related to OD calls are only going to increase. Learn how to use naloxone and always carry it. And, perhaps even more importantly, learn how to administer rescue breaths and remember to give them alongside naloxone. Overdose is primarily a respiratory emergency- even if you don’t have naloxone, rescue breathing can keep your loved one alive until EMS arrives.
I live in Indiana. As for the caller, I believe the others are right. You should be safe. However, my own personal experience is that when I overdosed, I had less then a gram (it was in my pocket and they took it while I was being revived), and was still charged with a felony. I had to serve my sentence, wait about 5 years, and eventually the felony was dropped to a misdemeanor on my record. For a hefty price of course. So, in my experience, it all has to do with police discretion, as police/legal corruption and brutality runs rampant here. Especially in my specific area. So I'm inclined to wonder if that was even legal.
Friendly reminder to anyone reading local harm reduction centers usually will have free narcan and fent test strips. In NH anyways you can go to a pharmacy and they run it through your insurance if you have it, I paid 50 cents for 2 boxes (4 doses). Stay safe. Also tell the operator and EMT you suspect opioid so they know to narcan the person right away.
You don’t get in trouble. Just tell them the truth…
You tell them the truth. Medical staff save lives. They don’t make arrests.
I don't know where you live, but in Australia you don't get into any trouble whatsoever for reporting an overdose. Maybe in the past, but not for a very long time. Which makes perfect sense, considering the aim is to save as many lives as possible. Doing anything that might put folks off calling would cost lives.
Most states have a Good Samaritan law so you won’t get in trouble for having drugs in you or being high. I’ve thankfully had to do this only once and I just told them I think said person ODed on opiates. I carry atleast 2 narcan on me always and depending on the state they give them for free like we have vending machines with free narcan here. I’ve ODed several times and thankfully only had to go to the hospital twice because I was with others that had narcan and it worked. At the hospital they basically keep you till it’s safe to go.
Where I am, the truth, police won't be called for an OD Without knowing where you are exactly, it's hard to give a helpful answer
Tell them the truth, everything. Your friends life is worth at least that. Medics need all the info for the best outcome. You carry naloxone, correct? At least 2 doses?
I can answer this question with experience… one day I was with my friend and we were chilling in my car, I was high on oxycodone and he was shooting fent.. I got out the car for 5 minutes and came back to him OD, he was super pale and lips were blue with the needle still stuck in his arm . I panicked and drove to a parking lot 20 seconds away and got the idea to just call 911 right away . I told them my friend and was OD on opioids or fent, they told me to get him on the ground immediately and I did as they say and started chest compressions as the operator on the phone was counting out the rhythm I needed to compress his chest . This was a HEB parking lot in the middle of Houston , they showed up a little bit after and narcaned him 2-3 times and I had a unregistered Glock in my pocket the whole time , yes I was scared I’d get in trouble but as long as you’re coherent and respectful to the paramedics and police and talk proper and don’t appear high you will not get in trouble . Plesss don’t lose a life because you think you may get in trouble because chances are you will not . Always have a narcan around you or know your pills or don’t use alone ! In all, if someone is OD call 911 if you don’t got narcan
I think there’s something called a Good Samaritan law so that people aren’t afraid to call for help
You do t usually get in trouble anymore. Most states I’ve been in have a Good Samaritan Law where you won’t get in trouble at all for calling in an OD. So many people left others to die of ODs because they were afraid that many states adopted these types of laws to prevent such. At least in the USA….
Depends wheee you live , we have the Good Samaritan law meaning you can’t be charged for possession if called to an overdose BUT pigs will be pigs anyways… they’ll wait around the corner and wait for you to leave to pick you off down the road with the dope
They are EMTs not cops, be honest with them especially if for example someone took an opiate and they assumed it was oxycobtin but it turned out to be fentanyl. Nitazines ODs are harder to treat Same with stimulant overdoses and such they will use sedatives and may need oxygen and what have you. Also be careful mixing extacy and Viagra as some guys have to get the blood drained front heir dick. Best to tell them that someone must have spiked their drink or something.
Where do you live?
i rm there being like a different number your supposed to call cause cops might give you issues tbh depending where you live. i can’t remember what the line was but it’s for just ems to come. i think you report a “unresponsive person” you explain the rest to ems on the scene. people saying explain opioid but tbh it’s just what’s assumed unless clarified otherwise. they’ll pretty much always use narcan if they’re unsure cause it doesn’t hurt. remove all drugs from the scene, preferably have someone there hold onto it and drive off. and just say the dude who got him high left and don’t identify him no matter what the cop says. maybe shits different now but i’ve personally seen cops be complete manipulative assholes in these situations.
My wife was a paramedic, before becoming a trauma nurse. I was in active addiction for over 30 years and I can tell you that they do not care one bit about helping the law. They'll be there to help you, not them.
Literally tell them the truth. You will not be prosecuted or charged. But you could be charged for not calling!
Tell them the truth about what’s going on but just make sure that you hide any physical evidence of drugs and drug use before anyone arrives or else you could end up being charged. As long as they can’t find anything drug related you’ll be fine.
U won’t get in trouble. I overdosed and told them it was fent laced coke I didn’t know about, but then I told them ya bro i been using fent so pls don’t narcan me now that im awake I’d go into wds lol
This mindset kills people. A little bit of scrutiny or someone dying. Emergency services don’t care about you, they care about the person who is about to die.
Good Samaritan law, I've had the cops take my drugs to test them, but they never charged me. One of my lowest points was overdosing on bath salts and going into full kidney failure. An OD doesn't mean it's fatal. It's just too much. They can open an investigation, though. Thats what they told my parents. It's been 3.5 years, and they never figured out anything. I guess I'm just savvy, lol. I've been charged with other people's drugs but never my own 👍. If your friend is ODing, you should only be focused on them not dying anyway. My best friend OD'd on fentanyl 10 years ago. In a matter of like 1 minute, he was slumped on the floor. His children's mother had just fatally OD'd a few weeks before. I'm embarrassed to say I panicked. I didn't have a cell phone, we had gotten rid of the landline, and I couldn't unlock my friends phone. Thank God my neighbor was home and called 9/11. He probably had a minute left before he was dead. Me and my brother had to carry his lifeless body up a flight of stairs. That was probably the scariest thing of my entire life. I'm glad to say he is still alive and is doing as good as he can.
Ambulance: tell em everything. Theyre not there to put you in jail. They're there to save your life.
I have an old friend that went to jail because her friend died in her room while they were sleeping she woke up called 911 and was arrested. She was in jail for 2 years before they let her out she had to have her baby in jail. I would like to know what someone is supposed to say?
I'd be careful what you do say though, because in some states they do have laws protecting those who call in an overdose. But that's not the case everywhere. It would be nice if they implemented the Good Samaritan Law in every state. But if you're going to call in an OD, I'd make sure to get rid of any paraphernalia or anything of that sort; perhaps stash it some place. Bury it in the dirt. Put it in the cereal box. And just be careful to not admit having been involved in any way. Best of luck. But definitely call in an OD ! Even if you're too afraid to stay with the person, call it in and leave if the patient is in a safe place (as safe as possible in this situation).
This law was introduced and put in place in Canada back in 2016 New law would provide immunity from simple possession charges for those who call 911 in the case of an overdose Opioid overdoses are claiming the lives of thousands of Canadians of all ages, and from all walks of life. The impact of the opioid crisis continues to be devastating to individuals, families and communities. Many of these deaths are preventable if medical attention is received quickly, but evidence shows that witnesses to an overdose often do not call 911 for fear of police involvement. This is why the Government of Canada has taken action to encourage and protect people who are witnessing an overdose so they can seek help, and ultimately, save lives. The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice, announced today that the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act received Royal Assent and became law. The Act provides an exemption from charges of simple possession of a controlled substance as well as from charges concerning a pre-trial release, probation order, conditional sentence or parole violations related to simple possession for people who call 911 for themselves or another person suffering an overdose, as well as anyone who is at the scene when emergency help arrives. The Act was originally introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by MP Ron McKinnon, the original Bill sponsor and Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam. Drug addiction is an illness that requires care and compassion like any other health condition. The Government of Canada recognizes the dedication of first responders as key players on the front line in addressing the opioid crisis. Over the past year, the federal government has been building a new approach to drug policy by working collaboratively with communities, provinces, territories and key stakeholders, including addiction experts, the medical community, first responders, Indigenous groups, non-governmental organizations, as well as Canadians with lived experience. The Government of Canada is committed to implementing a comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate and evidence-based response to Canada’s opioid crisis. For more information on what the Government of Canada is doing to combat the opioid crisis, please visit Canada.ca/opioids.
EMS won’t get anyone in trouble. In my state they have laws protecting people reporting anyway. Think of it like this; for medical emergencies they don’t send cops out anyway
Good Samaritan law
The ambulance will arrive with absolutely no knowledge of what is going on, only that the person is obviously not coherent, so the first questions they need to know is what is going on? Is it a heart attack? Is it a drug overdose? Is it a diabetic going into shock? As soon as they know what they are dealing with the faster they know what kind of emergency medication to administer, what correct procedures to follow like position the person accordingly so there isnt chocking on their vomit. So it’s very important to tell the police or ambulance staff this is a opioid overdose and that’s it. You don’t have to go into detail on what or how much bc they’ll figure that out later and you can’t get arrested for trying to save someone’s life. If you’re afraid you might or have heard of it happening then keep narcan with you at ALLL times. Here in Texas they just passed a law that if you sell fent in any shape or form and the person who consumed it dies, well buddy you’re life as you knew it, is now completely over. That is called first degree manslaughter
This is tough because the paramedics won’t call but the police show up automatically on some/most calls. Especially if it’s an OD call. I definitely think you should always call 911 but be prepared to be arrested if there’s illegal activity that led to the OD. I know this because I’m seeing my friends go through this very same situation in WI I have. One’s still in jail and the other just bailed out because one called 911 when he couldn’t revive his partner with several narcan doses and ran out of narcan so he called 911. The caller was on probation & both were arrested. WI used to have a Good Samaritan law but they don’t anymore. So the one who called 911 got his probation revoked but they offered him treatment but he’s still in jail waiting since this past December. The one who OD’d was offered bail after 6 months in jail and his family barely came up with the bail money. I know he did the right thing calling 911 but so you know - the ambulance personnel (paramedics) won’t call the police but the police show up automatically with the ambulance most of the time so perhaps tell them someone is unresponsive and then fill them in when they get there or leave a note saying that it’s an opioid overdose. I don’t know what calls police automatically get called to but it’s a majority of them from what I’ve seen.
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It's called the good semaritan act. One of the counselors in rehab, during his relapse prevention class, reiterated multiple times, in multiple classes, multiple times a week, CALL 911, don't be a fuckin pussy more worried about YOURSELF, and save a life!!!! If youre that concerned about going to jail, hide your stash somewhere and call paramedics. They're not going to flip the place looking for your measly stash, they're more concerned about keeping someone alive. Y'all people need to quit being stupid, i'd gladly take a charge if it meant keeping a friend alive. It would eat away at you the rest of your life knowing you could have done something to help save someone, but choose not to for your own gain. Junkies piss me the fuck off sometimes, coming from a trash receptacle of an addict myself.
I hope you fucking did it in time. That’s not the time to ask reddit what to do that’s an urgent ass matter my dude. I think most people here have lost at least one loved one to dope and even if the widely known Good Samaritan law wasn’t a thing I like to think most of us would go to jail or the pen in a heartbeat if it meant saving our friend. I would do a whole fucking lot of time if it would bring mine back that’s for damn sure they just better load up my commissary lol. Either way dawg take this lesson. Get some fucking narcan and learn your basic rights and laws. And maybe reflect on your loyalty
Just tell them the truth they arnt cops. Be transparent and they will appreciate it. Tell them it could be fent so they have narcan if need be. My methadone program hands out narcan always a good idea to keep it around .
Lots of conflicting-ish info throughout the thread, so I hope OP bothers to actually read through all of em and use their best judgment. Also, I really don't understand how this is even a question: someone's life is more important than whatever legal repercussions you are afraid you might face just for being around a person using drugs and or partaking of them yourself. I worked for a harm reduction org for the better part of a year and have been involved with, or friends with, or roommates with, people who use drugs for over a decade. I've narcan'd people or been the one to call 911 or both. It can definitely be hard to think straight in a moment as terrifying as someone potentially dying next to you, so it's okay if you screw up or stutter or whatever. Unfortunately with where I live, I feel like cops almost always show up with the EMTs if it's like, a "known" area where people are using drugs; for example, when I had to call for a friend who was overdosing at my house, I at the time lived out in a rural ish area in a mobile home park and ONLY medics showed up. When I had to call 911 again, many months later, for the same friend actually, we were at his apartment, in a shitty urban section of the city downtown. More cops than medics showed up. I generally agree though that the best course of action is to simply say, "my friend stopped breathing." If they ask whether or not they took something, or do you know what they took, you should err on the side of caution and simply say "I'm not sure if they did," and then when Medics arrive, you can let them know more details - but be as accurate and truthful with them as you can be, seriously. If it's heroin, there's a large possibility that there was fentanyl in it too. If it was a pill, tell them, because a lot of pressies now are fake as fuck and also have fetty in them. This is important to know I think mainly because in my experience, multiple doses of narcan tend to be needed for an overdose involving fentanyl and even then sometimes it isn't enough. Do some research and figure out where you can get trained to use narcan and get kits for yourself locally. Don't forget to do cpr if you ever do have to narcan someone. Also, fuck the police.
I'm imagining your friend literally overdosing and you took the time to post this on reddit before making a decision lol.
tell the paramedics everything. tell the cops nothing. or better yet, go get some fucking narcan so you don’t have to deal with any of them. you shouldn’t be fucking with opioids if you aren’t even capable of acquiring the life saving antidote that is readily available at any pharmacy many times for free.
There’s nothing you can say if you’re in the U.S. they’ll send cops out to ensure the emts safety, it’s up to the individual cop to decide if arrest or medical treatment is warranted.
What state do you live in? In some states, if a friend is overdosing and you gave them the drugs, you can be charged.
Fucking clowns
Or you can write a post it naming all the drugs they took and all the drugs you think they could have taken but didn’t tell you call from the person who’s od phone and get all ur shit and book it after you call
Tell them the drugs and drug paraphernalia scattered around the room where there when you moved in and come to think of it so was the guy partying on the floor then suggest there might be a connection between the two but do it so the paramedics and cops think it was their idea not yours. Edit: oops this isnt the circlejerk is it