Harm reduction refers to services and policies that lessen the dangerous effects of drug use to protect public health.
Learn more about harm reduction to stay safe! Read on about the importance of never using alone, always having naloxone on hand, and getting your drugs tested for safety.
The number one risk factor for fatal overdose is using alone. Naloxone, also known as NARCAN® Nasal Spray, cannot be self-administered during an overdose. SafeSpot is here for you when others cannot be. Get connected with a trained operator who will:
The helpline does not collect personal information and the address you give is not stored in any database. We are committed to your safety and confidentiality.
Stay safe and call SafeSpot today
*SafeSpot is not a recovery program or treatment helpline.
Naloxone, which is also known as the nasal spray NARCAN®, is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of overdose and prevent deaths. Naloxone is widely available in Connecticut.
Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids, which can reverse an overdose for a limited period of time. Although naloxone can have some side effects, it does not cause any feelings of pleasure and it does not kill pain. The effects of naloxone begin within 2-5 minutes after it is taken.
Naloxone is safe to use on people of all ages, including the elderly, children, and babies.
Learn how to administer naloxone properly with this video from the CDC:
Many community organizations distribute naloxone for free. For more information about naloxone, including brand names, how it works, and where to find it, visit our How to Get Naloxone for Free page now.
Here in Connecticut, fentanyl and xylazine have long been found in the drug supply. A small amount of fentanyl is all that’s needed to cause a death; and the animal tranquilizer xylazine can be lethal when used by humans. Recently, new drugs have been observed in overdose deaths, which is why it’s important to know what drugs you’re taking and to get your drugs tested.
The newer drugs include designer benzodiazepines, carfentanil, kratom, medetomidine, nitazenes, and orphines (cychlorphine). Read below for more information about each of these drugs.
Designer benzodiazepines refer to a class of illegally made benzodiazepine medications that slow down activity in the brain and nervous system. They are much more potent than prescribed benzodiazepines.
Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid. It is approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl (see above) and 10,000 times more potent than morphine; it was originally developed as a tranquilizer for large animals.
Kratom is an herbal extract that users can chew in leaf-form, swallow or brew dry, or drink as a liquid. It is used as a stimulant at low doses, and as a sedative at higher doses. Although kratom is banned in Connecticut, it is still widely available in neighboring states at gas station convenience stores and in health stores, marketed as a mood booster and remedy for opioid withdrawal. It is not FDA approved.
Medetomidine belongs to the same family of drugs as xylazine (see above). It is used as a veterinary sedative and is synthetically manufactured. The effects of medetomidine can include sedation, low heart rate, low blood pressure, and hallucinations. Medetomidine is not an opioid.
Nitazenes are very powerful synthetic opioids. Nitazenes are not approved for any medical use.
Orphines (Cychlorphine) are potent synthetic opioids chemically similar to fentanyl and nitazenes; cychlorphine may be 50 to 200 times stronger than heroin, and 10 times stronger than fentanyl.
According to the CDC, polysubstance overdose deaths have increased. Polysubstance drug use means using more than one drug either intentionally or unintentionally.
Unintentional polysubstance use occurs when a person takes drugs that have been mixed or cut with other substances. Street drugs are often a mix of multiple substances. Because of this, it is always recommended to use naloxone when an overdose is suspected. If a polysubstance overdose involves an opioid, naloxone can still revive the person. It is always worth trying to save someone when an overdose is suspected, even if you do not know what substances are involved. Administer naloxone and call 911 for additional support.
Connecticut has free drug checking programs. You can find out what’s really in your drugs, talk with someone about staying safe, get help if you feel side effects, and keep your results private.
Find each location on our Interactive Map.
If you believe someone is experiencing an overdose, get help right away. Often, a person can survive an overdose if someone is there to help.
The State of Connecticut passed the Good Samaritan Law to protect those who help others during an emergency, including in the event of a drug overdose.
Whether you are a professional or a resident in the community, you are protected when helping someone in need. If you believe an individual may be having a drug overdose, you will not be held civilly or criminally liable for seeking emergency medical care for the individual or for receiving emergency medical care yourself; and if you have NARCAN® Nasal Spray (naloxone), you should prescribe and/or administer it knowing you are protected under the law.
For more details, please read the summary of the law (PDF) in full.
Note: Connecticut’s Good Samaritan Law protections do not apply to all criminal charges and do not prevent law enforcement from serving an already active search or arrest warrant.
For more information about treatment and resources in Connecticut, call our 24/7 Access Line at 1-800-563-4086.
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