Overdose Prevention

Multnomah County’s syringe services offers overdose rescue kits, which include naloxone, a drug used to reverse the effects an opioid overdose.

Carrying naloxone can help save someone's life. It can restore normal breathing to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped.

Opioids are a type of drug which includes prescription painkillers, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl, nitazenes and methadone.

Anyone can carry and use naloxone. No special training is required.

Get Naloxone

Syringe service clients

If you use drugs of any kind, get free fentanyl test strips and overdose rescue kits from Multnomah County syringe services»

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:

  1. Call 9-1-1
  2. Perform rescue breathing
  3. 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

Good Samaritan Overdose Law

Learn to Use Naloxone

More Information

Research

Contact Us

Multnomah County Harm Reduction Program
503-988-3030

Syringe services schedule (recorded info) | 503-280-1611 
Intercambio de Agujas y Jeringas (schedule in Spanish) | 503-988-6333

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