Emergency info
If somebody you are with suffers negative side effects as a result of taking drugs, it could prove life-threatening. Would you know what to do if your friend suffered a bad reaction or becomes ill after taking a drug?
If your friend gets tense and panicky:
Symptoms:
- struggling to breathe, or breathing very fast
- finding it difficult to swallow
- suffering from headache, backache, chest pains and palpitations
- sweating or trembling
- shaking all over
- jumpy and panicky
What you should do:
- calm them down and be reassuring - tell them that they will feel better soon
- take them somewhere quiet, and dimly lit (away from the music and bright lights)
- if your friend starts breathing rapidly, encourage them to take long, slow deep breaths.
If your friend gets really drowsy (but is still conscious)
Symptoms:
- drooping eyelids
- mumbled speech
- nodded head
- unwillingness to move
What you should do:
- calm them down and be reassuring
- don't frighten or startle them, or let them do anything too energetic
- if your friend is very thirsty, give them sips of lukewarm water - NEVER coffee
- don't let your friend fall asleep, as they could easily go unconscious. Keep them awake until the ambulance arrives by talking to them and walking them around
- if your friend's condition gets worse, put them in the recovery position - keep talking all the time to stop your friend from losing consciousness
- if necessary, phone the ambulance or ask someone else to (don't leave your friend on their own)
- tell the emergency services what drug or drugs your friend has taken - it could save their life.
If your friend gets too hot and dehydrated
Symptoms:
- headaches
- cramp
- dizziness
- feels very hot
- feeling very faint
- feeling lethargic
- looking pale and sweaty
- flushed forehead
What you should do:
- move your friend to a cool, quiet area
- remove excess clothing and try to cool them down by splashing with water and fanning
- lie them down and raise their legs
- encourage them to sip non-alcoholic fluids such as water, fruit juice, isotonic sports drinks or coca-cola (about a pint every hour)
- if your friend doesn't improve, or seems to be getting worse, call an ambulance - but make sure someone stays with them
- tell the emergency services what drug or drugs your friend has taken - it could save their life.
If your friend becomes unconscious
What you should do:
- don't just assume your friend is asleep - call their name and give them a gentle shake
- if they don't respond place them in the recovery position, so that they cannot choke on their own vomit
- check your friend is still breathing - be prepared to do mouth to mouth resuscitation if they are not
- phone the ambulance or ask someone else to (don't leave your friend on their own)
- keep your friend warm, but not too hot. If they feel as though they are overheating, remove excess clothing and make sure there is plenty of fresh air
- tell the emergency services what drug or drugs your friend has taken - it could save their life.
The recovery position
Based on information from: Department of Health, Mind, Body, Soul website (www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk)
