It can happen – those moments when things get out of hand. Maybe you mixed something you shouldn’t have or took a little bit too much. We all make mistakes, and it’s crucial to know that calling for help is not just okay – it could be a life-saving decision.
Lifesavers, not judges
Let’s debunk a myth right away: ambulance officers are not there to judge you. Their primary concern is your health and safety. They don’t care heaps about why you needed to call, but they do care heaps about how to help now.
In the words of one paramedic we will call Mr. B*, “One of the main reasons I do this job is the passion I have for helping other people.” That’s their ethos — they lead with compassion, not condemnation.
There ma be reasons you or a friend don’t want to call the paramedics, such as:
- Being arrested
- Fear of losing a job
- Fear of losing housing
- Image in the community
- Fear of having children taken away
All valid reasons to be cautious!
Your rights are protected
Paramedics are bound by strict patient confidentiality rules. They won’t report you to the cops for taking something illegal. They don’t care what drugs are in your house or on you now, or where it came from.
Your health information is protected, too, and will only be shared with healthcare staff such as hospital workers. The only time police might get involved is if you are a risk to yourself or others – a scenario they try hard to avoid.
Mr. B said one example when they might call for the Police is when someone has taken a combination of drugs that could kill them, and they need to go to the hospital immediately, but are refusing care.
Another example is someone who is making moves to drive while high or drunk even after the paramedics have told them not to. They may ring the Police to prevent a driver from causing harm to someone else on the roads.
Still a bit worried? Give the minimum details over the phone and wait until the paramedics get there to tell more in-person.
What can I expect from the ambulance officers?
Here’s what the paramedics should give you:
- Compassionate care: They’re trained to approach every situation with empathy.
- Assessment: They’ll ask about the drugs you have taken, why (in case you’re overdosing on purpose, rather than by accident), and when, to offer you the right treatment.
- Treatment: They may give medications, referrals or provide supportive care.
- Referrals: They can connect you to other services for ongoing support.
- Respect: Your dignity and privacy are important.
What happens when the ambulance officer arrives?
One of the first things the paramedic will do is to figure out if anything you have taken may cause you to stop breathing, mess with your heart, or mess with your mental state. Some drug combinations are incredibly high risk, and potentially fatal if not addressed quickly, so it’s best to be honest.
Trip sitters, fear not. The paramedics are there to help both of you. Be open to their advice about what to do next.
Paramedics can also connect you with other services like Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) for ongoing support and treatment. Their aim is to help you address the underlying issues that led to the overdose, if they can.
What ambulance officers shouldn’t do
You should never put up with a paramedic who becomes aggressive, either verbally or physically. They should never force you to get into an ambulance against your will, either. It’s not their job, and they’re not legally allowed to!
If the officer becomes dismissive, that’s not cool. This might look like not listening to you, talking over you, or not trusting what you’re saying.
What you should and shouldn’t do to ambulance officers
Sadly, ambulance officers have to deal with lots of hassle – whether that’s personal abuse or violence, and they are vastly underpaid for the hard work they do. When a person is in pain, scared, tired, or high, they can lash out at anyone nearby. Don’t be that person.
Treat your paramedics with respect. They’re here to help you.
Recognising different overdoses and what to do
Here’s a quick look at how to tell which drug might have been taken and what to do about it.
Stimulants
Examples include
- MDMA
- Cocaine
- Meth
What to look for
- Dilated pupils
- Seizures
- Extreme headaches
- High anxiety and paranoia
- Aggression
- Chest pain
- The person may think they’re dying or having a heart attack
- Difficult breathing
What to do
- Keep them calm, and call 111 immediately.
- If they start to vomit, it is the body’s way of getting rid of the drug which can be a good thing. But do NOT induce this.
- If they become unconscious, turn the person into the recovery position with their mouth facing towards the ground so they don’t choke.
- Don’t leave the person alone.
Opioids
Examples include
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Tramadol
What to look for
- Acting erratic
- Pinpoint pupils
- Reduced consciousness or “drunk”
- Chest pain
What to do
- Keep them calm, and call 111 immediately.
- Give them naloxone if available.
- If they start to vomit, it is the body’s way of getting rid of the drug which can be a good thing. But do NOT induce this.
- If they become unconscious, turn the person into the recovery position with their mouth facing to the ground so they don’t choke.
- Don’t leave the person alone.
Benzodiazepines
Examples include
- Lorazepam
- Xanax
- Valium
- “Downers”
What to look for
- Difficulty breathing, or not breathing at all
- Slurred speech
- Confusion or acting “drunk”
What to do
- It’s all about breath – keep their airway open and head tilted back.
- Don’t leave them alone and call 111.
Psychedelics
Examples include
- LSD
- Magic mushrooms
- Hallucinogens
What to look for
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic attacks
- Hallucinations
What to do
- Keep them calm.
- Find a safe, quiet place – the “good vibes” area or a chill zone.
- Call 111 if it’s severe and don’t leave them alone.
Mr. B says he’s thankful when people who are trained offer to help. The paramedics will ask you for your qualification (St. John’s First Aid certificate, nursing registration number, etc.) before you assist.
Overdoses can become fatal, so quick responses can save lives.
Read our tips on how to respond to respiratory depression and overdose.
The need for change: Good Samaritan laws
Good Samaritan laws protect people calling 111 or offering help during drug-related emergencies. We don’t have one in New Zealand. This means people don’t help as often for fear of getting in trouble, which is a barrier to saving lives. Pushing for these laws is crucial to ensure that everyone feels safe to lend a hand.
What exactly is a Good Samaritan law?
A Good Samaritan law protects someone who steps in to help someone else. Usually it’s to protect them from being charged with wrongful death or unintentional injury. For example, someone gets hit by a car while crossing the road. If someone else does CPR on them but the person still dies, the person doing CPR can’t be charged with contributing to the other person’s death.
When it comes to drug overdose, a Good Samaritan law protects people who have stepped in to help from being charged with possession of illegal substances or paraphernalia, or having taken illicit substances.
We don’t have those protections here in Aotearoa.
In the United States, one study showed that enacting a version of this law gave a 14-15% lower chance of opioid overdoses, compared to states that didn’t have one.
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 is getting in the way of saving lives.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (MoDA) in Aotearoa, the Police can get involved in an ambulance call-out if someone is found to be admitting use or administration of a drug. This can make some folk a bit wary of calling 111 if they’ve taken the same thing as the person needing help. Especially if you’ve taken something that can cause anxiety or paranoia.
A clause added to the MoDA in 2019 covers police discretion about whether or not to prosecute someone in possession of an illicit substance, and encourages Police to take a healthcare based approach to policing. The Police can still arrest you and take you into custody though. They may or may not decide to take you to court depending on the evidence you give.
The 2020 post-implementation review of the 2019 Amendment showed a decrease in criminal charges being brought against people for possession of cannabis and methamphetamine, and 61% of people being referred to healthcare services as part of their diversion. All of this is great and it keeps people out of prison. But the individual still has to be arrested and processed first, and they still have a record that they have to disclose to prospective employers and so on. Which is not ideal.
The Police have to enact the laws set in Parliament, as silly as those laws may be. Sometimes an officer on the scene will tactically turn a blind eye to the drugs and/or paraphernalia present, and focus on getting you the help you need instead. There is a risk this could get the officer in trouble for following a harm reduction approach rather than a by the book approach.
None of this is ideal
Helping someone when they’re overdosing is traumatic. Being arrested for something ridiculous while trying to stop someone from dying is also traumatic. Gambling on the officer that shows up being one of the ones that ignores your drugs and worries about the immediate problem is stress you absolutely don’t need. Especially when all you’re trying to do is save someone’s life.
Read the details of the clause on the Ministry of Health website
Read the Amendment’s 2020 post-implementation review on the Ministry of Health website
Read us getting spicy about the MoDA 1975:
Part 1: How it started
Part 2: The war on “drugs”
Part 3: How it’s going
Part 4: The changes Aotearoa deserves
To sum it up
The TL;DR
- If you or someone you know ends up in a drug-related emergency, remember: calling an ambulance is the right thing to do.
- The paramedic’s priority is to stabilise you, not judge you for taking drugs.
- They won’t rat you out to the cops.
- Be honest and give the what, when, and why.
- We need a Good Samaritan law, and to revise the MoDA.
Let’s work towards a future where seeking help is always the best choice, without hesitation or fear of consequences.
References
Report: Fatal overdoses in Aotearoa 2017-2021 – NZ Drug Foundation
Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 No 116 (as at 12 April 2024), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation
Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2019 – Post-implementation review – Ministry of Health
Changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act | Ministry of Health NZ
Download the Drug Foundation’s overdose prevention plan. (PDF, 469 KB)
*Name withheld for protection
Guest author – Danika Ciullo