Drug Safety Advice

If someone has taken drugs and has overdone it or begins to exhibit unusual signs or panic or fear, the first thing you should do is get help from a security guard or bouncer, bar staff or, if necessary, dial 999.

Do not worry about legal implications or whatever state you're in. If someone you see or know is in danger, make sure you get them help right away or find someone who can.

Here are some suggestions to dealing with drug situations.

If the person:

Shows signs of feeling anxiety, fear or panic

• Take them away from where they are. Get them off the dance floor, away from any strobes or bright lights and lead them to a quieter corner.
• Talk to them softly and calmly, tell them that everything is okay and that their feelings of fear will pass.
• Get a friend to get help if things get too difficult for you to handle.
• People have different tolerance and reaction levels to different amounts of drugs, so don't judge a person's reaction to how much they have taken.
• Try to find out what they're on, and how much.
• Never give them another type of drug to calm them down. If anything, offer some water or juice but not alcohol.
• Encourage them to breathe deeply. If their breathing becomes severely erratic or comes in short, sharp bursts, get help immediately.

Becomes unconscious

• Immediately call for help and an ambulance but do not leave the person alone.
• If they are still breathing, ensure that their airway is clear and put them in the recovery position. Place them on their stomach, with their head to one side. Bend one arm (say, for example, the right) so that the palm of their hand is flat on the ground, near their face, with their other arm straight at their side. Bend the same side leg (in this case, the right) at the knee so that the leg and arm is parallel.
• Do not move them until help arrives.
• Watch their breathing. If it stops, you may need to do mouth-to-mouth.
• Loosen any tight clothing and remove any necklaces or jewellery from their necks.

Becomes dehydrated

• Dehydrated people may experience dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting and occasionally faint. They will stop sweating and urinating becomes diffcult - there is a need to go but nothing comes out. They complain of cramps in their back, legs and arms and feel increasingly lethargic and exhausted.
• If you see someone who is dehydrated, get them to a cool place, encourage them to get rid of any extra clothing and get them to very slowly sip juice or water, but no alcohol.
• Do NOT overhydrate them by giving too much water. Too many fluids can actually cause your brain to swell and potentially be fatal. If you're dancing in a packed club, you should be drinking about 500 ml (or a pint) of water an hour.
• Avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion by taking regular breaks from dancing, going to a chill out room, drinking non-alcoholic fluids (but see above) and getting some fresh air if possible.

Is overdosing or convulsing

• Phone 999 immediately.
• Signs of a heroin overdose include inconsistent breathing, convulsions, very small pupils and/or unconsciousness. Their skin color may also go a blue-ish colour.
• Make sure the person's mouth and airway is clear.
• Put the person in the recovery position as above with something under their head, like a jacket or pillow.
• Clear a space around them of any sharp or dangerous objects and do not leave them alone.