Drug Education Parent Booklet

12 HOW TO HELP SOMEONE WHO HAS TAKEN A DRUG CALL 000 IMMEDIATELY IF THERE IS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST RISK THAT A PERSON IS HAVING AN UNUSUAL OR CONCERNING REACTION TO ALCOHOL OR A DRUG. † Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. COMMON REACTIONS AND HOW TO RESPOND PANIC ATTACKS These can happen due to the increased feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations that drugs can bring on. These can be very frightening at the time, but it is important to know that these usually pass with time. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS ● Sweating and shaking ● Chest pains and difficulty breathing ● Increased heart rate ● Sense of impending death ● Dizziness, headaches, and lightheadedness ● Feeling ‘spaced-out’ ● Non-responsiveness WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE HAS A PANIC ATTACK ● Calm them down and reassure them that the feeling will pass ● Take them somewhere cool and quiet away from crowds and bright lights ● Encourage them to relax and take long, slow, deep breaths ● If they pass out due to over-breathing, follow the DRS-ABCD life support chart (see page 15) “STUDENTS WOULD FIND THIS INFORMATION USEFUL BECAUSE IN A SITUATION CONTAINING DRUGS THEY WOULD KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT OR SEEK HELP.” - CLARE † , 15