Opiates and opioids

What are opioids and opiates?

Opioids are depressant drugs that slow breathing and heart rate. Opiates are non-synthetic opioids derived from the opium poppy, such as Morphine, Heroin or Codeine. Synthetic opioids are Oxycodone, Fentanyl or Methadone. These drugs can be prescribed to manage pain and as opioid replacement therapies (ORT). ORT supports people who wish to stop using opioids to stop using safely.
There are risks associated with mixing more than one depressant drug at a time. This includes prescribed painkillers – if a young person is using more than one depressant drug this increases their risk of overdose.

There are several factors that impact how a young person might experience a drugsSsuch as their location, gender, size, mood and if other drugs, alcohol or other medication has been taken.

UNDERSTANDING:

Understanding more about why a young person might use opioids can help guide future conversations with them. Some young people might report they are looking for a way to relax or a way to manage their emotions or to feel good and avoid getting sick if they have developed a dependence.

While a young person may use for many reasons, sometimes drugs can have unintended side effects. Here are some ways to support a young person who might be using opioids. If someone you care about presents with shallow breathing or is disorientated, becomes unresponsive or unconscious, please contact 000 or seek medical support.

How to respond:

• Stay calm and reassure them that you are there to support them
• Try to find out what they think they have been taking (including any prescribed depressant drugs)
• Support them to move to a safe place where they are comfortable and sitting down
• Observe the young person’s breathing by looking at their chest rising and falling
• If you observe slow and shallow breathing, choking/gurgling noises or blue lips/fingernails call 000 and administer naloxone
• Emergency services will walk you through the steps you need to take until paramedics arrive
  
• NB: Naloxone is available from these pharmacies free of charge: Take home naloxone program

Check out these articles to understand how to best support your young person

Understanding adolescent development in relation to drug use ADF

Risk taking behaviours and adolescents Headspace

Importance of peer relationship headspace

How to start a conversation about drug use with someone you are concerned about YoDAA video