Question

You are called to a scene of a possible drug overdose. Upon arrival, you find that you and your partner are the only responders on the scene. You enter the house and your partner sees drug paraphernalia with many used containers in the kitchen, you get no answer when you call out, and there is a very strong odor in the house. What is your next step?

Answer 1

Upon entering a possible drug overdose scene, you should ensure personal safety, identify individuals needing medical help, administer naloxone if authorized, and call for medical support.

Step-by-step explanation:

Responding to a Possible Drug Overdose Scene

Your next step upon encountering a scene with a strong odor and evidence of drug use, with no response from anyone inside, is to approach cautiously while ensuring the safety of yourself and your partner. Priority should be given to identifying and caring for any individuals in need of immediate medical assistance. If you encounter a person who has overdosed, and if you are trained and authorized to do so, you may administer naloxone (Narcan), which is an opioid-overdose antidote that can reverse the effects of an overdose and sustain the person until emergency medical treatment arrives. However, your first action should always be to call for additional medical support. Remember, personal safety is paramount; if the situation seems dangerous due to the odor or other factors, you may need to wait for specialized personnel.