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Calling 911

Calling  911 

You may have fears about calling 911 and involving the police at the scene of an overdose, including:

  • Fear of legal risk (arrest for possession, illegal use, or outstanding warrants, loss of children to foster care, or loss of public housing)
  • Fear of judgment and/or negative responses  from family/community/employer
  • Personal embarrassment/shame/social stigma
  • or negative consequences (for example, students may lose federal financial aid)
  • Urban legends (fears of being charged for homicide for being at an overdose, or being deported – even though these cannot happen)
  • Becoming homeless by getting kicked out of a substance abuse treatment program or sober housing situation for using

Know this:

  • Helping at an overdose is NOT a reason for arrest
  • Being at an overdose BY ITSELF is not reason for arrest
  • Using with someone who overdoses is NOT reason for an attempted murder charge

If you MUST leave the scene of an overdose:

  • Call 911
  • Put the person in the recovery position
  • Leave the door open/unlocked

Tips for Calling

  • Have the address and location of where you are handy.
  • Stay calm, and ask others around you to be quiet.
  • Let them know, “my friend has overdosed.”  If you don’t want to mention drugs or overdose, tell them, “my friend is not breathing.”
  • Follow the instructions of the operator and paramedics as closely as you can.
  • If you have to leave the person for any reason, put them in the recovery position.
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