California No Cost
Naloxone & Fentanyl Testing Strips
Distribution Program
HDEAA provides free opioid
prevention, response training and
Narcan Nasal Spray in the Morongo Basin.
In just a few minutes you will learn about how to recognize and respond to an overdose, including administering Naloxone and how to test for Fentanyl.
You will receive FREE Naloxone & Fentanyl Testing Strips – and know how to use them!
Who should carry Naloxone?
If you or someone you know is at increased risk for opioid overdose, especially those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), you should carry Naloxone and keep it at home. People who are taking high-dose opioid medications (greater or equal to 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day) prescribed by a doctor, a person who uses opioids and benzodiazepines together, people who use illicit opioids like heroin, and people who use recreational/party drugs should all carry Naloxone. Because you can’t use Naloxone on yourself, let others know you have it in case you experience an opioid overdose.
Carrying Naloxone is no different than carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known by the brand name EpiPen) for someone with allergies. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for those at a higher risk for overdose.
In nearly 40% of overdose deaths, someone else was present. Having Naloxone available allows bystanders to help a fatal overdose and save lives.
Get FREE Naloxone Nasal Spray:
High Desert Emergency Action Alliance
57353 29 Palms Hwy Suite B
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Call 760-853-0220 to confirm staff is on site.
OR
Go to any Morongo Basin Healthcare District Clinics during their regular business hours: mbhdistrict.org
We do not request any form of ID or health insurance, and we don’t require personal information from you.
Serving: Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Landers, Johnson Valley, Flamingo Heights, Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Wonder Valley, Homestead Valley, Pioneer Town, and all communities of the Morongo Basin in the Mojave High Desert of San Bernardino County.
Signs of overdose
Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. Here are some things to look for:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or losing consciousness
Slow, weak, or no breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Cold and/or clammy skin
Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
What to do if you think someone is overdosing
It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.
Call 911 Immediately.
Administer Naloxone, if available.
Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.
How does Naloxone work and how do you use it?
Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breathing has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose. More than one dose of Naloxone may be required when stronger opioids like fentanyl are involved.
Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it’s always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing.
If you give someone Naloxone, stay with them until emergency help arrives or for at least four hours to make sure their breathing returns to normal.
How do Fentanyl Testing Strips work and how do you use them?
Fentanyl Testing Strips are a preventive tool that can detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, significantly increases the risk of overdose, even in small quantities. By dissolving a small sample of the substance in water and dipping the strip into the solution for a few seconds, individuals can quickly determine if fentanyl is present. A positive result indicates fentanyl contamination, signaling the user to exercise extreme caution or avoid using the substance altogether.
These strips are crucial for harm reduction, especially because fentanyl can be mixed with various drugs, often without the user’s knowledge. It's essential to use Fentanyl Testing Strips if you suspect the presence of fentanyl in any substance, as it could save a life by preventing an accidental overdose.
After using a Fentanyl Testing Strip, it's important to dispose of it properly and to consider the next steps carefully, especially if fentanyl is detected. Remember, Fentanyl Testing Strips are a key component of overdose prevention strategy, complementing the use of Naloxone in emergency situations.
