From: pez@manhattan.com (Gizmo) Subject: CUTTING DOWN YOUR CHANCE FOR AN OVERDOSE Date: 1996/09/24 newsgroups: alt.drugs.hard Since folks always ask from time to time, about first time use, or about how to be "SAFE" while shooting smack, I decided to repost this article. Like someone said here already, there is no such thing as "SAFE" in the world of illegal drugs, especially hard drugs. But the following advice might help avert a disaster, if you can remember to do it. Good luck. ----------------------------------------------------- Dying of an overdose sucks. It's the one thing that folks harp on when heroin is talked about more than anything. And they are right. Overdosing on dope is dumb. That is, you look pretty stupid if you kill yourself like this. Unless of course, that's what you wanted to do. Since there are bound to be many who will try to shoot drugs sooner or later, or even, for those of us that continue to shoot drugs, here is a suggestion or two. This applies to mainlining only. Although you could use a modified version for skin popping or snorting. This is not 100%. Nothing ever is. But it can help. IF, IF you can remember to do this. When your going to shoot some drug, be it heroin or Cocaine or whatever. Since you probably bought it on the street and you don't really know what the purity is, or even if it's been cut with something deadly, always try to only send in a very tiny amount, the first time around. You know, you got the hit. Now, no matter how desperate you are, just send in a tiny drop or two and wait. Thirty Seconds is usally all you need to wait. If all seems well, send in a little more and wait another 30 seconds. By this time you should know how good it is, or if it's been cut with something that could kill you. After that, remember to do it every time you get off. A Public Service Message From The Giz ==================================================================== From: (Eboka) Subject: Concerning heroin Overdoses Date: 1997/08/01 Newsgroups: alt.drugs.hard A postcard from the edge on 'How not to drop' (Or, what you need to know if you don't 'just say no') WARNING: THIS POSTCARD MAY OFFEND SINCE IT CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT MAY SAVE HEROIN USERS' LIVES. First things first. Most dead heroin users do not have a lethal level of opiates in their system. Many deaths are due to a fatal mix of opiates, tranquillisers and/or alcohol. So, one drug at a time please. Next, don't use alone. Just in case you drop, make sure there is someone there to help you, like at least, call an ambulance. Mind you, the majority of people who drop dead do so in the company of their mates. So, even better, only use with people who have a St John Ambulance first aid certificate, or, know resuscitation from wasted years as a surfie life saver. (But we appreciate most of your mates won't be so useful). In a reflective moment ask your fellow users what they might do if things go wrong! Answers like: run away, put you in a cold bath, 'call a cab?' should tell you to change your friends. Or better, educate them how to save your life. There are three simple things to do. 1 If you get concerned phone an ambulance. Tell them there is an unconscious body. (You don't need to say what they have used, but an address is useful). You do not have to tell them your name and the police shouldn't turn up! An ambulance will take at least 10 mins to get there. While you wait, keep your mate alive. The ambulance people on the phone will tell you what to do. Listening is more really much more effective than screaming. Keep the person breathing. Snoring is not necessarily breathing! Keep their air passages open. Once the paramedics turn up tell them everything you know about the hit. If you are really paranoid wait until you hear the ambulance, pin a note on his/her tee shirt about what has been used, then flee. 2 Narcan. Get some: from your doctor, your dealer, your mates. After all if you can get smack presumably you know some resourceful people. Narcan is an S4 drug. It is legally available by prescription. Get your mum to badger a sensible GP to give her some to keep at home, give to you, give to your friends. Keep it cool (below 30c). Narcan loses its antidote effects if left in the car to bake. And has a life-saving shelf life of about 3 years. Narcan makes you straight immediately. Don't curse the loss of your $$$. Narcan wears off. In 30 to 45 mins things will be rosy again. 3 Keep people breathing. And, breathing regularly. Unlike a drug habit, brain damage from lack of oxygen lasts a life time. Find out about resuscitation techniques. Talk to a friendly nurse, doctor, paramedic, your mum, or the WA OOPS! project at what's left of The ADA (08 9370 0376). And see their video. Visit the WA 'Drop Shop' which will exist if ever the government funds the User group. Even have a practice or two at 'resussing'. If all else fails get a fridge magnet from the toss farce (08 9264 8244) and put it on the fridge before you hock it (the fridge that is). If all else fails, hold their nose and breathe into their mouths, about 10 to 12 times a minute. If the thought doesn't appeal (even the most attractive of blueing corpses may vomit) get a 're-suss' face mask. They come with instructions. Very few people die immediately they shoot up. Some take up to 3 hours to cark it. Usually, there is lots of time to do something useful. In the early throes of an overdose, walking people around the house, making them do star jumps, hitting them, shouting at them, sticking them in a cold shower, keeping them awake and alert is good practice. Once they stop responding THIS IS SERIOUS SHIT. IT IS HAPPENING. More urgent methods are needed. This does not include panicking, stuffing them in phone boxes, injecting them with salt water, or running away. Do actions 1, 2, 3 outlined above. Which basically is keep them breathing until help comes. After all, dropping dead is a real waste of a good hit. Take care, Love Bill and Ali Bill Saunders Associate Professor Clinical and Health Psychology Curtin University PO Box U 1987 Perth WA 6001 08 9266 2206 (direct) 08 9266 2464 (fax) 08 9266 2219 (secretary)