Protect Your People: How to Respond to a Fentanyl Overdose in California

By California Department of Public Health

Fentanyl has become a deadly threat to communities across California, including Asian and Pacific Islander (API) populations. In 2023, 233 API individuals in the state lost their lives to fentanyl-related overdoses, accounting for more than half of all drug-related overdose deaths within this demographic (California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard, CDPH).

But there’s hope: With the right knowledge and tools, anyone can be prepared to respond to a fentanyl overdose. This article focuses on life-saving steps and resources every Californian—including API communities—should know.

How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose

Acting quickly during an overdose can mean the difference between life and death. Look for these signs:

Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or losing consciousness
Slow, weak or no breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Cold or clammy skin
Discolored lips or fingernails

If someone exhibits these symptoms, it could be an opioid overdose. Don’t wait—take action.

What To Do in an Overdose Emergency

Give Naloxone
Use naloxone immediately if available. It comes in the form of an easy-to-use nasal spray and it’s safe to give someone even if they aren’t overdosing.
Call 911
Emergency help is still necessary. Naloxone may wear off before the opioids do, so medical care is critical.
Keep Them Awake and Breathing
If they’re conscious, try to keep them awake and alert.
Administer Additional Naloxone if Unresponsive

If they’re unresponsive after 2–3 minutes, give another dose of naloxone using a new naloxone unit in the other nostril.

Lay Them on Their Side
This “recovery position” helps prevent choking if they vomit.
Stay Until Help Arrives
Remain with the person and monitor their breathing. Be ready to give information to first responders e.g., what happened, what medication or drug(s) the person may have taken, etc.

You’re Protected Under California’s Good Samaritan Law

California’s Good Samaritan law protects those giving emergency medical care at the scene of a medical emergency, including giving naloxone. This means if you act in good faith to help someone who’s overdosing, you’re protected from getting in trouble. (California Department of Public Health, CDPH).

Where to Get Naloxone

CalRx®-branded naloxone is now available for individual purchase across California for just $24 per two-pack plus shipping.

It is also available over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription (online and in-person) and for free through many local community-based organizations near you.

Resources are available in multiple languages, including Chinese and Korean, to support California’s diverse communities.

What About Fentanyl Test Strips?

Fentanyl test strips can help detect the presence of fentanyl in pills or powders. They show if fentanyl is present—just not how much. Fentanyl isn’t evenly distributed when it is in other drugs, so one side of a pill or some powder could contain no fentanyl while the other side could contain a deadly dose. It’s important to follow fentanyl test strip directions carefully and mix and test all portions of the drug(s). Test strips are available at low cost (e.g., $1 per test), and some local organizations have them available for free. Learn more from the California Department of Public Health.

Why This Matters

Overdoses can happen in front of friends, classmates, coworkers, or strangers—people like you. In fact, in approximately 40% of overdose deaths, a bystander was present. Carrying naloxone isn’t about drug use—it’s about being prepared to save a life and protect your community.

In 2024, San Diego County public health nurse Andrea Huerta saved a man from a fentanyl overdose. It was her first time administering naloxone in a real emergency. “It’s someone’s life… it’s frightening to think about the number of people who we’ve lost already,” she said in an interview with the County News Center. Her quick action highlights that if you’re prepared with knowledge and naloxone, you can save a life.

Final Call to Action

Summer break, music festivals, and new social settings bring potential risks.

Carry naloxone. Know the signs. Respond with confidence. For California’s API communities, this isn’t just about safety—it’s about cultural empowerment, care, and being ready to protect one another in moments that matter.

For more information and resources in multiple languages, visit FactsFightFentanyl.org.

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