Posts debate how bystanders should respond to a possible overdose
Social media users also repeated fentanyl exposure myths and questioned naloxone’s effectiveness.
Social media users also repeated fentanyl exposure myths and questioned naloxone’s effectiveness.
Last week, a viral video educating people about naloxone received pushback, and commenters debated how bystanders should respond to a possible overdose. Other posts revived false claims that you can overdose on fentanyl by touching it and that naloxone is not effective against nitazenes, a potent type of opioid.
In response, communicators may recirculate information about how to help someone who may be overdosing, explain how fentanyl overdoses happen, and share information about nitazenes and naloxone.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about substance use
On October 4, a Facebook user shared a video of a person who had allegedly overdosed and was revived with naloxone. In the text of the post, he said that he filmed the video last year, expressed sadness that “nothing has changed” in his neighborhood, and encouraged people to spread awareness about opioid use disorder. His post received approximately 1.4 million views, 10,600 reactions, 270 shares, and 1,000 comments as of October 8. Many commenters expressed stigmatizing attitudes toward people with OUD. Some said the man who filmed the video should not have given naloxone to the allegedly overdosing person. Some suggested that he should have rubbed the person’s chest instead to check for responsiveness, while others said he should have left him. A few commenters expressed compassion for people with OUD and correctly stated that any bystander witnessing a possible overdose should administer naloxone and call 911.
On October 1, another Facebook user shared a video aiming to debunk the myth that you can overdose on fentanyl by touching it. Her video included clips from another video that circulated in August of a South Carolina police officer who collapsed after she believed she had touched fentanyl. However, the officer’s symptoms did not match the signs of an opioid overdose. The Facebook user said she believes that the officer had a panic attack and had not overdosed on fentanyl. Some commenters argued that the officer was overdosing and falsely claimed that touching fentanyl can cause an overdose.
On September 25, media outlets reported on a new warning from the Drug Enforcement Administration that nitazenes, a class of potent synthetic opioids that increase the risk of overdose, are becoming more common in the U.S. street drug supply. Online conversation about those articles continued over the past week. Many commenters expressed sadness about overdose deaths, and some falsely claimed that naloxone is not effective against nitazenes.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about substance use.
In light of discussions about how to respond to a possible overdose, communicators may recirculate the signs of an opioid overdose and reiterate that naloxone should be administered any time an overdose is suspected. Messaging may emphasize that naloxone will not harm someone who is not overdosing or is not overdosing on opioids. Communicators may explain that bystanders witnessing a possible overdose should try to wake the person up by shouting and grinding their knuckles into the person’s breastbone for five to 20 seconds. If the person remains unresponsive, dial 911, administer naloxone, check for breathing, perform CPR if trained in it or if instructed by a 911 operator, and stay with the person until first responders arrive. Communicators may stress that many states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people overdosing and those assisting them from certain legal penalties. Explaining how to use naloxone and where to get it nearby is recommended. Communicators may also want to share information about local harm reduction programs that offer naloxone and other services.
Videos showing police officers allegedly experiencing an accidental overdose frequently stir up the myth that touching fentanyl can cause an overdose. Messaging may emphasize that you cannot overdose on fentanyl by touching it. People who use drugs are at risk of fentanyl overdose because fentanyl, like other opioids, can slow or stop breathing. Fentanyl is also often unknowingly mixed with other street drugs, which increases the risk of overdose. Communicators may want to share information about fentanyl test strips, which help people determine whether their drugs contain fentanyl so they can make educated decisions about drug use. However, they are not legal everywhere, so ensuring that any messaging reflects your state’s drug checking equipment laws is recommended.
In response to conversations about nitazenes, communicators may explain that these extremely potent opioids may be unknowingly mixed with other drugs. Messaging may emphasize that naloxone is effective at reversing an overdose from opioids, including nitazenes; however, multiple doses (given every two to three minutes until the person begins to breathe normally again or until first responders arrive) may be needed.