Slide 6.1

Topic 6. Assisting an IDU in trouble

a) Intoxicated and at risk

b) Unconscious / Overdosed

c) Guidelines for Police i. Not routinely attending overdoses

ii. Using discretion when attending overdoses

 A closer look at heroin

Slide 6.2

Intoxicated

"on the nod“

Unconscious

overdosed

Why is it dangerous to be unconscious?Slide 6.3

Air passages may be blocked which prevents them from breathing - this can happen when the tongue falls against the back of the throat

Cannot protect yourself from danger

Unable to cough or swallow to remove spit, vomit, etc - vomit and spit can block the air passage or leak into the lungs

 source: Kirketon Road Centre (undated). Drug Overdose. South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service: Sydney.

Slide 6.4

Assessment Task

What policies, procedures, guidelines, and systems does your organisation have in place to ensure the safety of people who are

• intoxicated?• intoxicated and at risk?• in custody no matter what their condition?

Slide 6.5

What is meant by the term "overdose"?

 

Overdose from different drugs produces different symptoms

 

Characteristics of an overdose of heroin

Slide 6.6

Too much heroin causes your blood pressure

to drop to such low levels that oxygen does not get to vital organs

• the body “shuts down”• breathing slows and stops• he heart stops• death

Slide 6.7

Do not worry about trying to identify which drug is involved

No matter what the drug is, the person needs help

Slide 6.8

Police have an important role in protecting all people including those who are

 

·    intoxicated and at risk

·    unconscious

·    are suffering an overdose

Slide 6.9

The material in this Training Program does not replace proper First Aid training.

The information in the Training Program is only a general overview

Place them in the recovery position

Call an ambulance or get someone to call an ambulance (or other appropriate medical assistance)

Slide 6.10

Check for Danger (e.g. traffic)

Check for a Response • Gently shake & call name• If a response, keep talking - they may lapse into

unconsciousness• If no response, turn them on their on side (in the

recovery position)

 Check the Airway • Check & clear airway while on side by removing any

obstructions - possibly use a two-finger scoop from top to bottom

• Gently tilt head back and open mouth

Slide 6.11

 Check for Breathing

• Check for breathing by listening and watching for the rise and fall of the chest. Use your cheek to feel any breath

• If not breathing, commence mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

 Check for Circulation • If breathing doesn't start, check the pulse in their neck

(Carotid Pulse)• If pulse, continue mouth-to-mouth• If no pulse, commence Cardio-Pulmonary-Resuscitation

(CPR)

Slide 6.12

 

Getting medical assistance.

 Do you know who to contact and how to do it?

Slide 6.13

 

You should consider providing information about an incident to health and welfare services

Slide 6.14

Some IDUs and their family and friends may not call for medical help (ambulance, nurse, doctor)

because they are afraid that the Police will be called

Police can help IDUs to avoid an overdose by

Slide 6.15

• Providing them (and others) with information onThe risks of injecting drugs, being unconscious, and

overdose. What to do if someone has an overdose

• Not attending overdoses every time or just as a matter of routine

• When attending overdoses, being more concerned with the health and safety of those present rather than with the possession of illegal substances

• Collaborating with health and welfare agencies to provide the best care possible for people who have overdosed

Guidelines for Police - overdoses

Slide 6.16

Not attending every time

When attending being more concerned with the health and safety of those present rather than with the possession of illegal substances

1.    Development of guidelines

2.    Advertising them

3.    Making them work

Slide 6.17

What things need to be done to help Police successfully develop and implement guidelines for Police to

i) Not routinely attend overdoses?

ii) Use discretion when attending overdoses?