Drug first aid

Drugs affect everyone differently. Sometimes people take too much or suffer a bad reaction. If it all goes wrong, here's how to help.

If someone gets tense and panicky

This can occur with LSD, magic mushrooms, speed, and ecstasy.

Calm them and be reassuring;
Explain that the feelings will pass;
Steer them clear of crowds, noisy music and bright lights;
If they're hyperventilating (over-breathing) encourage them to relax, and take long, slow, deep breaths.

If someone gets really drowsy

This is a risk with tranquillisers, heroin, alcohol and solvents.

Dial 999 and call an ambulance immediately;
Keep them awake, but do not shake them hard or startle them, especially if they have been using glue or other solvents;
Place them in the recovery position (see later in this article) and talk to them;
Never give coffee to rouse them. This can make the drug in them work even faster.

If someone gets too hot and dehydrates

Ecstasy and speed affect the body's temperature control. If users dance energetically without taking regular breaks or keeping up fluids there's a real danger that their bodies can overheat and dehydrate (lose too much body fluid). Warning signs include: cramps, fainting, headache or sudden tiredness.

Move them to a cooler quiet area (outside is often best);
Remove excess clothing and try to cool them down;
Encourage them to sip non-alcoholic fluids like water and soft drinks;
If symptoms persist call an ambulance, but make sure someone stays with them.

It's worth bearing in mind that overhydration is also a (potentially fatal) risk for ecstasy users who consume too much fluid. This can happen when someone is concerned about getting dehydrated. If a person appears to be gulping down lots of water and not taking regular loo breaks, suggest they have a rest. If they have a headache or feel nauseous, dizzy or lethargic, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The key to balancing your water intake while on ecstasy is to drink a pint of water or so every hour, and to chill out regularly whenever you feel too hot.

If someone faints or loses consciousness

This is a danger for someone on heroin, tranquillisers, alcohol, poppers, solvents, people who suffer a bad reaction to ecstasy, as well as ecstasy users who dance and don't keep up their fluid intake.

Place them in the recovery position;
Check their breathing. Be prepared to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (see below);
Call an ambulance;
Keep them warm, but not too hot;
If they're slipping in and out of consciousness, don't attempt to give them fluids as they can easily choke.

The recovery position

If someone has collapsed, and they're still breathing:

Turn them onto their front, with their head sideways on the side nearest to you;
Bend their upper arm and their leg on the side nearest to you;
Straighten the other arm and leg;
Stay with them, keep an eye on their breathing and tell someone to call an ambulance;
Don't put someone in the recovery position if you think they've got a head or neck injury.

Emergency resuscitation

If someone's heart has stopped and they've stopped breathing, you need to act fast:

Call out for help. Tell someone to call an ambulance;
Quickly look in their mouth and scoop out any foreign bodies or vomit;
Turn them onto their back;
Tilt their head back and lift the chin slightly to open the airway;
Close their nostrils with your thumb and finger;
Take a deep breath and place your mouth over their mouth;
Blow into their mouth until their chest expands;
Repeat one more time;
Feel the side of their neck or at the wrist with your fingers for a pulse;
If there is no sign, perform cardiac massage (see below).

Cardiac massage

Locate the notch at the bottom of the breastbone;
Measure two finger-widths above this;
Place both hands on the middle of the breastbone and press down firmly and smoothly 15 times, at a rate of about 80 times per minute;
Keep repeating mouth-to-mouth (two breaths) and then cardiac massage (15 compressions) until the pulse and breathing start again, or until the ambulance crew arrive and take over.

Ambulance alert

If someone's taken a bad turn and you're worried about his or her condition, then call an ambulance immediately. When the crew arrive, list the symptoms, and tell them if you know what drugs have been taken. Hand over anything they may have taken if you've got something from the same batch. It might save a life and you won't get into trouble.

Want to learn more?

Take a first aid course run by the Red Cross or the St John Ambulance.