Reduce the Risk of Overdose

For people who use illicit drugs, the following strategies can help reduce the risk of overdose.

• Never use alone. A trusted contact can help reduce overdose risk by giving naloxone or calling 911 in case of an emergency. People who don’t have a trusted contact nearby can take advantage of services that allow people to seek non-judgmental support over a phone or video call when they are using drugs. Never Use Alone is a nationwide service that connects callers to trained volunteers who will gather basic information about the caller’s location, stay on the line to support the caller if they plan to use substances alone, and alert 911 if the caller becomes unresponsive.
• Carry naloxone and learn how to use it. Because xylazine is often mixed with opioids like fentanyl, naloxone should be given in response to a suspected overdose to reverse any possible opioid effects. Importantly, naloxone will not reverse effects of xylazine. In the event of an overdose, call 911 for additional medical treatment.
• 

  Provide rescue breaths. Rescue breaths are especially helpful for people who have used xylazine since xylazine causes breathing to slow down.^4,15 Harm reduction experts also suggest rolling individuals on their side, into the recovery position. ^16,17

• Know the risks of using illicit drugs with unknown ingredients. Illicit drugs are unregulated—they don’t come with an ingredients list. As a result, dosage and purity are difficult to determine. Heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine may be mixed with xylazine or other substances. Counterfeit pills that closely resemble prescription medications and contain illicit substances are increasingly common in the illicit drug market.¹⁸
• Seek medical care for skin wounds. Skin wounds may become infected and worsen quickly. When treated early, wounds can be managed with basic wound care techniques. If left untreated, wounds can lead to amputation or become life threatening.⁹
• Reduce injection-related risks. According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, the risk of infection can be reduced by using sterile injection equipment, rotating injection sites, allowing skin veins time to heal before another use, and taking drugs in other ways besides injection.
• Test drugs before using. There are commercially available test strips to test for the presence of xylazine in a sample of drugs.
  Fentanyl test strips can be used to test opioids, stimulants, or prescription medications for fentanyl (Pieper et al). When people have knowledge that their drugs contain fentanyl, they can take steps to reduce their risk of opioid overdose.

Sharps Collection Program

Sharps Collection Program

In affiliation with Sturdy  Memorial Hospital, the Mansfield Fire Department will gladly accept your properly contained (in an approved bio-hazard container) sharps. The collection kiosk is located in the lobby of the new Public Safety Building at 500 East St on the 1st floor.  Also in the same lobby is a medication kiosk that collects unused and unwanted medications.

Biohazard Containers & Drop Off Process

All sharps (used or not) must be in a Bio Hazard container. We usually have containers to replace used ones. We can no longer accept sharps in any other type of container. (No milk cartons, laundry detergent bottles, coffee cans etc.)

When you arrive with your sharps that are not in an approved biohazard container, we will give you a container and ask that you take it home, transfer your sharps into the biohazard container, and then return the biohazard container when it is completely full.

Please, do not ever leave your sharps container at an unattended fire station. 

Xylazine

What You Should Know About Xylazine

Xylazine (also called “tranq” or “tranq dope”) is a non-opioid animal sedative or tranquilizer. Although not a controlled substance in the United States, xylazine is not approved for use in people and cannot be purchased without a veterinary license.⁷

An animal tranquilizer called xylazine is increasingly being found in the US illicit drug supply and linked to overdose deaths.¹ Xylazine can be life-threatening and is especially dangerous when combined with opioids like fentanyl.² Due to its impact on the opioid crisis, fentanyl mixed (adulterated) with xylazine has been declared an emerging threat by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Should naloxone be given in the case of an overdose involving xylazine?

Naloxone should be given in response to any suspected drug overdose to reverse any possible opioid effects. Naloxone will not reverse the effects of xylazine.¹² However, because xylazine is often used with opioids like fentanyl, naloxone should still be given. It’s important to call 911 for additional medical treatment, especially since the effects of xylazine may continue after naloxone is given.

What should be done for someone with signs and symptoms of a possible opioid overdose or an overdose involving opioids and xylazine?

• Call 911. Stay with the person until first responders arrive. Overdose is a medical emergency. First responders can assess the situation and provide treatment.

Good Samaritan laws are in place in most states to protect those who are overdosing and anyone assisting them in an emergency from arrest, charges, or a combination of these. Learn about the laws in your state.

More Resources

Resources

MA Current Opioid Statistics

MA Responds to the Opioid Epidemic Substance Use Resources

Partnership to End Addiction

Al-Anon Family Groups of Massachusetts

National Harm Reduction Coalition

Rehab & Treatment Helpline

Alcohol and Drug Hotline: 800-821-4357 

Health Helpline: 800-272-4323

Hunger Hotline: 617-523-7010

MA Substance Abuse Information Hotline: 800-327-5050 |https://helplinema.org

National Drug and Alcohol Treatment: 800-662-HELP

Poison Control: 800-682-9211

Safe Link Hotline: 877-785-2020

Samaritans (suicide help line): 988 Call or Text 24/7