Pubdate: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT) Copyright: 2005 The Salt Lake Tribune Contact: http://www.sltrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383 Author: Kirsten Stewart Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) CAMPAIGN TARGETS DRUG USER OVERDOSES Saving Lives: Activists Condemn Drugs, But Hope Addicts And Friends Can Bring Down Fatality Rates It has been 10 years since Jack Plumb's son overdosed on heroin. But the pain is still searing, bringing tears to Plumb's eyes as he explains how Andrew's "so-called friends" left him to die. They didn't phone for help, but had the presence of mind to scoop up their drugs and personal belongings before fleeing. The scene was so devoid of clues that police first treated Andrew's death as a homicide, said Plumb. Perhaps the friends were frightened by the 22-year-old's shallow pulse, or the choking sounds he made as he lost consciousness. Plumb stopped searching for answers long ago. "I did everything humanly possible to save him," said Plumb, noting this wasn't Andrew's first overdose. "I've since realized, it's up to the individual. It's all about choice. You can't save somebody else; not your son and not his friends." Rather than hunt for someone or something to blame, Plumb spoke out Wednesday at a news conference heralding the start of a campaign to teach addicts and their loved ones how to avoid and treat drug overdoses. Organized by Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, the campaign's message is simple. "Don't use drugs. But if you do, learn what do to in the event of an overdose and decide right now that you will call 911," said Anderson. In 2003, 302 Utahns died of drug overdoses, according to the mayor. Of those, 134 lived in Salt Lake County. Many of those deaths involved prescription drugs, an increasing trend nationally. But giving rise to Anderson's campaign were two high-profile illicit drug deaths this summer. Zachary Martinez and Amelia Sorich were both 18 when they overdosed - Martinez on heroin, and Sorich on a combination of heroin and cocaine known as a speedball. The bodies of both teens were moved, dumped by people who had been with them. They were later discovered by police. Their parents were unaware of their drug problems. Hoping to prevent "needlessly tragic deaths like these," Anderson encourages Utahns to educate themselves about substance abuse and use the Harm Reduction Project's drug overdose information line: 1-866-STOP ODS (1-866-786-7637). The mayor said the city also will pay for public service announcements on radio, TV and in newspapers, and will include information in city publications. Salt Lake City Harm Reduction director Luciano Colonna says of his organization's guiding philosophy: "Overdose deaths are preventable. Drug use is a little more difficult to prevent." According to the hot line, an overdose occurs when a person's body can't process a substance fast enough to keep vital organs functioning. Warning signs range from uncontrollable nodding with heroin to shakes caused by crack cocaine, cocaine powder and speed. More serious symptoms include incoherent speech, blue or clammy skin, shallow breathing, seizures, vomiting and unconsciousness. The hot line alerts friends and family that the risk of a fatal overdose goes up when a user who tried to stop feels isolated or guilty for relapsing. When an addict stops using for a while, his tolerance drops, which means he can safely consume less than he did previously. "Remember, that's somebody's beloved daughter or granddaughter," said Gregg Nelson of Sandy, whose daughter was spared a lethal overdose by friends who phoned her sister. On the way to the hospital, she stopped breathing, and her sister called 911. Nelson's daughter almost couldn't be revived by paramedics. She spent 3 1/2 days in a coma, but recovered. Though still struggling to overcome her addiction, she's alive, said Nelson, stressing it does no good to condemn someone for using drugs. "Many of these kids don't want to be there, but live with an addiction they can't cope with," Nelson said. - ----------- How To Avoid An Overdose Avoid mixing drugs that have the same effects. Heroin and other downers, such as alcohol, are a particularly dangerous combination. Combining heroin and cocaine, also known as a speedball, also can be deadly. The more information you have about a drug's potency, the better. Use less of a drug if you are sick, recovering from an illness or have recently lost weight. Maintain your health by eating and sleeping well, staying hydrated and making regular trips to the doctor. Don't use alone. Put together a support group of people you trust. Dial 911, calmly tell the operator someone has stopped breathing and give the address, your phone number and instructions on how to get to the building. If you're afraid to call for help, you can use pay phones, which are anonymous. Stay with the victim until paramedics arrive and perform rescue breathing or CPR if necessary. If you must leave, place the overdosing person in a conspicuous place and move him into the recovery position: on his side with hands rolled under his cheeks. Don't lie. Tell medical crews everything that the victim swallowed, huffed, snorted or injected so they can treat accordingly. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth