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What is an overdose Opiates are CNS (Central Nervous System) Depressants - meaning they slow your breathing and heartbeat down. Using too much, mixing opiates with other drugs or alcohol or using large amounts after a break from using, can result in an overdose. The main danger in an overdose situation is that you can stop breathing and suffocate. Also, there is a danger that your lungs can fill with fluid as a result of using and this can make it even harder to get enough oxygen. It doesn't take long for someone who has stopped breathing to become unconscious and then die. How to recognise when someone has overdosed 
Check whether they are conscious by calling their name or shaking them.
Check their breathing it will be very slow or shallow or they may not be breathing at all.
Check their pulse, it may be slow or not there at all.
Their body may be limp and they may look very pale.
What to do when someone has overdosed Try to bring them around by slapping their face if necessary - not too hard through. Alternatively use a wet towel or splash cold water on their face. If possible get them onto their feet and walking around. Get them talking to you. Don't stop walking around until they seem revived. Watch that they don't slip back into unconsciousness after you've revived them. Important - if you can't revive someone quickly, or are unsure how to deal with the situation, it is important to call an ambulance - dial 111. If there are other people around get them to call the ambulance while you continue to revive the overdose victim. If you know how to give mouth to mouth, do this until the ambulance gets there. The same with CPR if you're trained. If you have to leave them, make sure that their airway is clear and that they are in the recovery position. When the ambulance arrives, tell the ambulance officers that the overdose victim has stopped breathing and exactly what it was and how much they took if you know (In NZ the ambulance services are much more interesting in saving lives than informing on you to the police). What not to do Don't inject them with salt and water - it won't work. Don't put them in cold water - a tepid shower is okay but stay with them. Don't leave them alone except to call an ambulance. Don't attempt CPR if you haven't done a course, you could puncture a lung. How to avoid an overdose An overdose can happen to anyone, even experienced users. The line between being "really stoned" or "on the nod" can be very thin. These are the types of situations in which an overdose can occur: Using alone. If you use on your own there is on-one around to give first aid or call the emergency services, so it makes sense to have someone else around when you use. Don't mix your drugs. Using on top of pills and alcohol. All are CNS Depressants. The combined effects of several CNS substances can be much more powerful than their individual effects. Using opiates with other substances increases the chances of you losing consciousness or vomiting. Suffocation could result from vomit sticking in your windpipe. Using too much when you are not used to it. Your tolerance drops quickly after a period of cutting down or not using - so be careful of how much you take. You can always take more if the first hit was not enough - taking too much is much harder to deal with than not enough. Using drugs you don't know the strength of. It's the same as above, if you don't know the strength of what you're using, use a smaller amount at first, you can always take more if you need to. 
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