DRUG OVERDOSE An overdose of any drug either an addictive drug or an ordinary medicine is serious and required urgent medicinal treatment. Symptoms of drug overdose include abnormal dilation or contraction of the pupils of the eyes, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, unconsciousness, sweating and hallucinations. If a person takes a deliverate or accidental overdose 1. Ask the casualty what has happened. Obtain any information about the drug that you can as soon as possible. The casualty ma become unconscious at any time. DO NOT TRY TO INDUCE VOMITING. It wastes time and may be harmful. 2. If the person is unconscious, put her in the recovery position (illustration) 3. Call emergency number and ask for an ambulance. 4. Collect a sample of vomit and any bottles or pill containers that are near the casualty. Send them to hospital with her as evidence to assist treatment. If person becomes unconscious from alcohol poisoning 1. Put him in the recovery postion like this, so that he does not choke on his own vomit 2. Call emergency number for an ambulance. |
