Opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency attention. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose is essential to saving lives.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if a person exhibits ANY of the following symptoms:
They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
Their body goes limp
Their face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops
*SAMHSA
Responding to an Opioid Overdose
Family members, caregivers, or people who spend time with individuals using opioids need to know how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to administer life-saving services until emergency medical help arrives. Individuals experiencing an opioid overdose will not be able to treat themselves. Naloxone [NARCAN® is one brand] is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent opioid overdose. The State of Montana promotes and distributes naloxone for free across the state, based on Legislation passed in 2017.
This family of drugs includes prescription painkillers such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyCodone-R-), hydrocodone (Vicodin-R-)methadone, codeine and morphine drugs like heroin. Naloxone will NOT reverse overdose results from non-opioid drugs, like cocaine, benzodiazepines, alcohol or stimulant overdoses involving cocaine and amphetamines.
Good Samaritan Law Protections
The Good Samaritan Law protects those who seek assistance for themselves or others in the case of a drug-related overdose. Designed to promote life-saving naloxone use, the Montana State Code 2023 states:
“(a) a person who, acting in good faith, seeks medical assistance for another person who is experiencing an actual or reasonably perceived drug-related overdose if the evidence supporting an arrest, charge, or prosecution was obtained as a result of the person's seeking medical assistance for another person; or
(b) a person who experiences a drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance if the evidence supporting an arrest, charge, or prosecution was obtained as a result of the drug-related overdose and the need for medical assistance.
Or call 1-866-549-PEER (7337) to contact Beautiful Minds Recovery non-emergency support
About Dose of Hope
Dose of Hope is a project to provide life-saving naloxone medication to the general public for emergency overdose poisoning incidents. Dose of Hope is a project guided by the Missoula Drug Safety Committee and United Way of Missoula County. The Drug Safety Committee is made up of organizations including: United Way of Missoula County, Missoula Public Health, Open Aid Alliance, Missoula County Community Justice Department, St. Patrick Hospital, Mountain Pacific Quality Health and the University of Montana School of Pharmacy.
Naloxone distribution is supported and encouraged by the State of Montana which provides naloxone (NARCAN®) for free to communities for distribution. Fentanyl test strips provided by the University of Montana student group - Studentsfor Sensible Drug Policy.
