West Los Angeles Handbook 2023 - 54

1). How Naloxone works and why it is safe for you to
administer
2). Signs and symptoms of an overdose
3). Videos on how to administer nasal Naloxone and
the importance of calling 911.
4). Pharmacies where you can purchase your own
Naloxone kit.
There is more information available on the site to help
you make a decision of whether you want to have this
available for you or your family member. It is widely
used in the community by first responders because of
its life saving ability. If you do decide to purchase this
medication, it is strongly recommended that you keep
this medication on hand in an easily accessible location
for use during an opioid overdose emergency. Having
Naloxone available for use during an emergency can
literally save a life, providing much needed time for
emergency medical services to arrive and further treat
the individual.
If you are wondering about how to get Naloxone in
other parts of the U.S., visit SAMHSA (Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Service Administration) at https://
www.samhsa.gov. Search for " Naloxone " for a wealth of
information. Also, check with your local board of public
health or fire department. They can help steer you to
low cost (or free) training on Naloxone.
Please take advantage of these resources. You may also
reach out to us if you have any other questions.
Immunity from prosecution
A person in need of medical assistance or an individual
who calls 911 during a drug overdose cannot be
prosecuted for possession of drugs or for possession of
drug paraphernalia.
Obtaining Naloxone
The laws governing obtaining Naloxone and the
sources for doing so vary from state to state so start by
contacting your medical provider if you are interested.
More information is available at:
* Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment:
drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/podat_1.pdf
* SAMHSA Resources for Families:
samhsa.gov/families
53
Healthy Sleep Strategies
* Take a hot bath or shower before bed. Doing so will
increase your body's core temperature and help you
relax.
* Do not exercise within four hours of your bedtime.
Mild to moderate exercise between 4 to 7 p.m. will
promote and induce sleep later in the evening.
Exercising too late in the evening, or too intensely,
will make falling asleep more difficult.
* Avoid caffeine. If you insist on daily coffee or sodas,
limit your caffeine intake to the early morning. Switch
to decaffeinated beverages after 10 a.m.
* Look at your last ingestion of sugar. Stop use earlier
in the day. Start with noon and then move to earlier
stopping times as needed.
* Avoid using your bed for reading, writing, watching
TV, talking on the phone, using any device, or doing
anything that requires mental alertness. Using your
bed for these types of activities conditions your brain
to react with increased alertness when you try to use
it for actual sleeping.
* If, after 20-30 minutes, you are merely tossing and
turning in bed, get out of your bed, go to another
room, and engage in some type of relaxing activity
(i.e., read, stretch gently, meditate). Go back to bed
only when you feel sleepy.
* Use relaxation strategies. Listen to visualization tapes,
take yourself through progressive relaxation, take
deep breaths, listen to relaxing music.
* Avoid taking naps during the day. Although a
nap feels good when you are tired after a night of
sleeplessness, it only makes the problem worse the
following evening.
* The use of " white noise " can be helpful. White noise is
the sound of a fan, relaxing music played very softly,
or other background noise that allows the senses to
relax rather than be alerted by sudden changes in
noise level.
* Eating some carbohydrates (i.e., popcorn, toast, cereal,
graham crackers and milk) prior to sleep can be
helpful.
https://www.samhsa.gov https://www.samhsa.gov http://drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/podat_1.pdf https://www.samhsa.gov/families
West Los Angeles Handbook 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of West Los Angeles Handbook 2023
