Multnomah County’s syringe exchange offers clients overdose rescue kits, which include naloxone, a drug used to reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.
Naloxone can rapidly reverse a heroin or prescription opioid overdose, restoring normal breathing to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped.
Get Naloxone
Syringe exchange clients
Get test strips and overdose rescue kits from Multnomah County syringe exchange. You'll complete a short training in how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. At the end you'll get a kit that includes two doses of naloxone. Allow 20 minutes to complete the training.
If you use prescription opioids
Ask your healthcare provider (or your loved one's provider) to also prescribe naloxone. Oregon Health Plan and most insurers provide coverage for this life-saving medication.
Friends and family members
In Oregon anyone can obtain naloxone from a pharmacist without seeing a healthcare provider first. Find pharmacies that offer naloxone
Responding to an overdose
Know the signs of an opioid overdose, which may include shallow breath, turning pale, blue or grey, choking or vomiting. If a person is unconscious and does not respond to stimulation:
- Call 9-1-1
- Perform rescue breathing
- Administer naloxone
Oregon’s Good Samaritan Overdose Law
If someone overdoses and you call for medical help, you cannot be arrested or prosecuted for:
- Possessing drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Being in a place where drugs are used
- Violating probation or parole because of drug use or possession
- Outstanding warrant because of drug use or possession
Start a Harm Reduction Program
Watch our recorded trainings on how to start a harm reduction program and support people who use substances.
Harm Reduction Training Part 1 – September 15, 2022
- History of harm reduction
- How to talk about harm reduction
- Syringe access
- Laws and safety related to services
- Overdose reversal medications
- Supportive resources
Watch the recording | Passcode: ?anA41Hk
Harm Reduction Training Part 2 - September 22, 2022
- How to deliver harm reduction services
- Substance use and trauma
- Blood borne pathogens
- Safe syringe handling
Watch the recording | Passcode: T8z3&t9x
More Information
- Naloxone Training & Treatment Protocols - Oregon Health Authority
- Overdose Prevention - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Understanding Naloxone - Harm Reduction Coalition
- Naloxone Overview - National Institute on Drug Abuse
Research
- Federal naloxone rescue kit access and success rates
- Naloxone success rates and previous research
- Effectiveness of bystander naloxone administration
Contact Us
Multnomah County Harm Reduction Clinic
12425 NE Glisan St, Portland
503-988-0577
Open Monday and Thursday, 11am - 7pm