CAMPAIGN TARGETS DRUG USER OVERDOSES

Saving Lives: Activists Condemn Drugs, But Hope Addicts And Friends Can
Bring Down Fatality Rates

It has been 10 years since Jack Plumb's son overdosed on heroin.

But the pain is still searing, bringing tears to Plumb's eyes as he
explains how Andrew's "so-called friends" left him to die. They didn't
phone for help, but had the presence of mind to scoop up their drugs and
personal belongings before fleeing. The scene was so devoid of clues that
police first treated Andrew's death as a homicide, said Plumb.

Perhaps the friends were frightened by the 22-year-old's shallow pulse, or
the choking sounds he made as he lost consciousness. Plumb stopped
searching for answers long ago.

"I did everything humanly possible to save him," said Plumb, noting this
wasn't Andrew's first overdose. "I've since realized, it's up to the
individual. It's all about choice. You can't save somebody else; not your
son and not his friends."

Rather than hunt for someone or something to blame, Plumb spoke out
Wednesday at a news conference heralding the start of a campaign to teach
addicts and their loved ones how to avoid and treat drug overdoses.

Organized by Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, the campaign's message is
simple.

"Don't use drugs. But if you do, learn what do to in the event of an
overdose and decide right now that you will call 911," said Anderson.

In 2003, 302 Utahns died of drug overdoses, according to the mayor. Of
those, 134 lived in Salt Lake County. Many of those deaths involved
prescription drugs, an increasing trend nationally.

But giving rise to Anderson's campaign were two high-profile illicit drug
deaths this summer.

Zachary Martinez and Amelia Sorich were both 18 when they overdosed -
Martinez on heroin, and Sorich on a combination of heroin and cocaine known
as a speedball.

The bodies of both teens were moved, dumped by people who had been with
them. They were later discovered by police. Their parents were unaware of
their drug problems.

Hoping to prevent "needlessly tragic deaths like these," Anderson
encourages Utahns to educate themselves about substance abuse and use the
Harm Reduction Project's drug overdose information line: 1-866-STOP ODS
(1-866-786-7637). The mayor said the city also will pay for public service
announcements on radio, TV and in newspapers, and will include information
in city publications.

Salt Lake City Harm Reduction director Luciano Colonna says of his
organization's guiding philosophy: "Overdose deaths are preventable. Drug
use is a little more difficult to prevent."

According to the hot line, an overdose occurs when a person's body can't
process a substance fast enough to keep vital organs functioning. Warning
signs range from uncontrollable nodding with heroin to shakes caused by
crack cocaine, cocaine powder and speed.

More serious symptoms include incoherent speech, blue or clammy skin,
shallow breathing, seizures, vomiting and unconsciousness.

The hot line alerts friends and family that the risk of a fatal overdose
goes up when a user who tried to stop feels isolated or guilty for relapsing.

When an addict stops using for a while, his tolerance drops, which means he
can safely consume less than he did previously.

"Remember, that's somebody's beloved daughter or granddaughter," said Gregg
Nelson of Sandy, whose daughter was spared a lethal overdose by friends who
phoned her sister. On the way to the hospital, she stopped breathing, and
her sister called 911. Nelson's daughter almost couldn't be revived by
paramedics. She spent 3 1/2 days in a coma, but recovered.

Though still struggling to overcome her addiction, she's alive, said
Nelson, stressing it does no good to condemn someone for using drugs.

"Many of these kids don't want to be there, but live with an addiction they
can't cope with," Nelson said.
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How To Avoid An Overdose

Avoid mixing drugs that have the same effects. Heroin and other downers,
such as alcohol, are a particularly dangerous combination. Combining heroin
and cocaine, also known as a speedball, also can be deadly.

The more information you have about a drug's potency, the better.

Use less of a drug if you are sick, recovering from an illness or have
recently lost weight.

Maintain your health by eating and sleeping well, staying hydrated and
making regular trips to the doctor.

Don't use alone. Put together a support group of people you trust.

Dial 911, calmly tell the operator someone has stopped breathing and give
the address, your phone number and instructions on how to get to the building.

If you're afraid to call for help, you can use pay phones, which are anonymous.

Stay with the victim until paramedics arrive and perform rescue breathing
or CPR if necessary.

If you must leave, place the overdosing person in a conspicuous place and
move him into the recovery position: on his side with hands rolled under
his cheeks.

Don't lie. Tell medical crews everything that the victim swallowed, huffed,
snorted or injected so they can treat accordingly.