Deal with a drug-related emergency

First aid measures*

(*adapted from the DFE booklet 'Drug Misuse and the Young - a guide for the education service'.)

In any drug-related emergency, always bring in a trained first aider if there is one within reach and call for professional medical help. If there is any delay before help arrives, take the following steps:

If the person is ‘high’, aroused, woozy or uncoordinated:

1. try to take away the drugs or solvents - without a confrontation;

2. do not lecture them: they will not be able to take it in;

3. do not crowd or threaten them, or expect normal behaviour: they could react with uncharacteristic violence. Help them stay calm and give reassurance;

4. do not put them to bed to sleep it off. People have died from choking on vomit in their sleep. Keep a careful watch on them; and

5. write down details of the incident clearly and accurately. This will help those who are involved later.

If the person is unconscious but the pulse rate and breathing are normal:

1. put them in the recovery position (or lying on their side);

2. open windows and loosen tight clothing around their neck and chest, but keep them warm and stay with them until medical help arrives.

Detailed first aid advice and information about local training is available from the St John’s Ambulance Association.

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