What You Can Do

What To Do in An Overdose

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Stay with the person.
  • Give Naloxone (Narcan) if available.
  • DO NOT slap the person, put into a cold bath or try to induce vomiting.
  • Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law provides immunity for you AND the overdose victim if you call for help.
     

How to Avoid Opioid Misuse / Opioid Overdose

(From SAMHSA)

  • Take medication only as prescribed.
  • Do not take more than instructed.
  • Call your doctor if your pain worsens.
  • Never mix painkillers with alcohol or sleeping pills.
  • Store your medication in a safe place.
  • Dispose of unused medication properly.
  • Teach your friends and family how to respond to an overdose.
  • Discuss any concerns with your doctor.
  • Click here for a list of questions to ask your doctor from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
  • Click here for a list of questions to ask your doctor from Harvard Medical School.

Medication Disposal

  • HC DrugFree’s convenient medication and sharps drive-thru collection (For event date, click here)
  • HCPD Northern District: 3410 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, 24/7
  • HCPD Southern District: 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel, 24/7
  • 10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, 24/7
  • Gary Arthur Community Center: 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, Monday-Saturday, 7AM – 9PM, Sunday 9AM-6PM

Dispose of your needles, syringes and EpiPens

  • HC DrugFree’s convenient medication and sharps drive-thru collection (For event date, click here)
In 2012, 259 million opioid pain medication prescriptions were written, enough for every adult in America to have a bottle of pills.

Youth who say they have access to drugs at school

In Howard County, 1.1% of youth age 11 or younger say they have access to drugs at school according to the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey; 7.2% of 14-year old middle school students agree as do 25.4% of 15 year old high school students. By senior year, 26.3% of high school youth age 18 say this is true.