The following are tips and warnings provided by people who use opioids.

• If you or someone you know/love is a habitual opioid/opiate user—prescription opioids or otherwise—consider carrying NARCAN, which can be found over the counter in both New York and Pennsylvania. Insist that the user carries it as well.
• Have reasoned discussions with kids about opiates/opioids.
• Make sure people know that if they begin to have trouble breathing, to get to an emergency room.
• If the medication isn’t necessary for their ability to function, they shouldn’t use it regularly.
• The acetaminophen content in opiates and opioids can be dangerous if not monitored, and one thing that kills people who are on opioids isn’t the opioid, but the acetaminophen (through liver toxicity) if it is in a formulation that contains it.

Check your drugs

• No opioids or opiates purchased off the street are trustworthy, and fentanyl is very easy to overdose on, especially when mixed with other respiratory suppressants.
• If you use substances or know someone who uses substances purchased off the street, you can test the supply for fentanyl or xylazine. 

In New York, according to the state health department, fentanyl/xylazine testing strips are available in Sullivan County, NY from—for example—the county’s Department of Community Services in Liberty (845/292-8770 ext. 2077) and the Lexington Center (845/867-4304 ext. 2302). Visit www.nyoverdose.org to learn more.

In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program offers drug checking strips designed to detect xylazine and fentanyl at no cost. (It also offers multiple formulations of naloxone.) The test strips are offered through organizations across the state. One resource is the Wright Center, 570/230-0019.

Where to go for help: 

If you have overdosed, or find someone who may have overdosed, call 911.

If you are looking for help with substance use disorder, start with your local drug/alcohol commission or community services department.

In Sullivan County, call the Department of Community Services at 845/292-8770.

In Wayne County, PA, call the county Drug and Alcohol Commission at 570/253-6022.

In Pike County, call the Pike branch of the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol Commission at 570/296-1054.