Fentanyl has become a primary cause of the opioid overdose epidemic in the past decade. But what is it about this drug that's so dangerous? There's more to the story than meets the eye.
If you’re ever in the position where you think someone may have overdosed, but aren’t sure, the CDC says to look for things like pinpoint pupils, slow, weak, or absent breathing, and the person going limp and unconscious.
If you think an overdose really is happening, call 911 – most states have what are called Good Samaritan laws, which protect people from getting in legal trouble when calling authorities for help. Try to keep them awake and breathing and lay them on their left side to help prevent choking. If you have it, administer naloxone as soon as an overdose is suspected - there are Narcan training courses out there, and some even give you free Narcan to be used in an emergency. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.
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