Save a Life

What an Overdose Looks Like

Taking too many opioids can lead to an overdose. During an overdose, breathing can dangerously slow or stop, causing brain damage or death. Here’s what to look for:

  • Blue, gray, or purple, lips and fingernails
  • Pinpoint pupils (pupils are the black circle in the center of each eye)
  • Breathing that is very slow, irregular, or has stopped
  • Not waking up or responding to voice or touch
  • Items around that look like drug use

What to Do If Someone Overdoses

  • Tap the person and shout to see if they wake up
  • Call 911
  • Prepare to give naloxone and stay with the person until help arrives.

Reversing an Opioid Overdose

Naloxone, also known by the brand name NARCAN®, is a medicine that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose and can be given by anyone. Even if you’re not sure that someone is overdosing, naloxone won’t harm a person who isn’t overdosing, so you should still use it.

In Louisiana, naloxone is legal for anyone to have on hand. Louisiana’s Good Samaritan Law protects people who call 911 for an overdose so that you and the person who overdosed can’t be charged with a crime.

Naloxone comes in two different forms: Nasal spray (through the nose) and injectable (using a needle to inject it into the muscle, under the skin, or into a vein). The City of New Orleans offers community trainings where participants can get a free dose of nasal naloxone to use in the event of an overdose. You can request to host a training through the NOLA Ready website.

You can learn how to administer various types of naloxone by clicking on the links below.

Where to Get Naloxone

In 2017, the State of Louisiana issued a standing order for naloxone. This means that pharmacies can sell naloxone to anyone over 18 who wants it without a prescription from a doctor, and NARCAN®is available to purchase over-the-counter. It also allows community organizations to give it out for free. The City of New Orleans offers community trainings where participants can get a free dose of nasal naloxone to use in the event of an overdose. You can request to host a training through the NOLA Ready website. You can also find naloxone at the following locations:

NEW ORLEANS FIRE DEPARTMENT STATIONS (FREE)

  • Fire Station #1 2920 Magazine St.  New Orleans, LA 70130
  • Fire Station #29 317 Decatur St.  New Orleans, LA 70130
  • Fire Station #36 5401 Read Blvd.  New Orleans, LA 70127
  • Fire Station #40 2500 General DeGaulle New Orleans, LA 70114

AVITA PHARMACY

  • Tulane Tower: 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 445
  • Crescent Care Elysian Fields: 1631 Elysian Fields Ave., Suite 200
  • Marine Building: 3308 Tulane Ave., #102

C&C DRUGS

7540 W Judge Perez Dr.

CVS*

  • 1600 Elysian Fields Ave.
  • 3621 General DeGaulle Dr.
  • 5902 Read Blvd.
  • 500 N Carrollton Ave.

* Most locations. Find a store near you here.

CRESCENT CITY PHARMACY

2240 Simon Bolivar Ave.

GENOA HEALTHCARE PHARMACY

2221 Philip St., Suite Q

MED-PRO PHARMACY

2600 S Claiborne Ave.

OCHSNER PHARMACY

2820 Napoleon Ave.

WALGREENS*

  • UMC Walgreens: 2000 Canal St., #1201
  • 4400 S Claiborne Ave.
  • 1415 Tulane Ave.
  • 1100 Elysian Fields Ave.
  • 6201 Elysian Fields Ave.
  • 3216 Gentilly Blvd.
  • 801 Canal St.

*Most locations. Find a store near you here.

WALMART*

4001 Behrman Pl.

*Most locations. Find a store near you here.