What can organisations do to prevent overdoses on their premises?
This blog was kindly contributed by Elisabetta Fato, Intern at NeuroSight.
As a society, we all have an idea of what overdose is, but we don’t necessarily understand the surrounding factors that might lead to it. Overdose happens when a toxic amount of a drug, or combination of drugs, overwhelms the body, but it is rarely the case that someone who chooses to use drugs intentionally overdoses while seeking more pleasure.
Certain factors that might lead to overdose are outside the control of the person who uses drugs. These include not only drugs having much higher doses or purity than what it says on the “label”, but also containing other more harmful substances such as the synthetic opioid fentanyl found in cocaine (2). Unlike an unregulated black market, knowledge about drugs and concepts such as tolerance is up to individuals to learn and organisations to disseminate.
Information such as the effects of mixing drugs is essential, but drug education shouldn’t only focus on the drug either. Set and setting are equally important - and are also more controllable than what the drug might contain - and therefore how set and setting affect the drug “experience” must be communicated. Indeed, studies show that when a drug is consumed in a novel environment, it has a stronger effect on the body. This effect can lead to overdose, for instance, when someone who takes the same dose of a drug in a party environment. Websites such as Drugs and Me and The Loop are great resources for individuals and organisations to refer and signpost as they offer clear and non-judgemental educational information on drugs.
The importance of first aid and recovery can’t be ignored, but we should also acknowledge that these are reactive approaches and do not actively prevent an overdose. Informing people who use drugs through education and providing an environment in which individuals don’t have to hesitate to seek help due to fear of repercussions, on the other hand, are proactive approaches to prevent overdoses.
Organisations can implement a number of policies to make sure individuals are equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions and are provided with adequate support and understanding. For example, policies such as the "Good Samaritan Policy" protects individuals from repercussions if they ask for help during an emergency (4).
In conclusion, organisations can do a lot more to prevent overdoses through education and policy. Most overdoses are preventable, but not through trying to prevent drug use.