(WPRI) — In “ Saving a Generation: The Fentanyl Crisis ,” 12 News looked at the work being done to keep the next generation of Americans from falling victim to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, put faces on this disturbing trend, and talked to families who are tirelessly working for change.
Now it’s the kids’ turn. Tune in Tuesday at 8 p.m. to learn how young people across the country are taking the battle against fentanyl into their own hands.
Overdose Prevention Resources
Rhode Island’s overdose resource website, PreventOverdoseRI.org , offers information on local treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services. The following 24/7 resources are available for Rhode Islanders who need immediate help for substance use conditions.
| Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. | BH Link, located at 975 Waterman Ave., East Providence , offers community-based, walk-in services for immediate, stabilizing emergency behavioral health services. |
| Call Rhode Island’s Buprenorphine Hotline at 401-606-5456 to access telehealth services for the initiation of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. | For children and youth younger than 18, call the Kids’ Link Hotline at 1-855-543-5465 . Kids’ Link RI triages and refers children and youth to behavioral health and treatment services. |
How you can save a life
- Learn the signs of an overdose, such as slow, shallow breathing; gurgling noises or breathing that has stopped; unconsciousness/unresponsiveness, or skin tone that appears grayish or ashen to bluish-purple.
- Call 911 first if someone is overdosing. The Rhode Island Good Samaritan Law provides certain legal protection when you call 911 when someone is overdosing, whether you have drugs on you or not.
- Carry the overdose reversal medicine naloxone (sometimes called Narcan) and know how to use it. Naloxone is available at pharmacies without a prescription, community-based organizations, and select retailers. You can also get free mail-order naloxone at preventoverdoseri.org/naloxone .
If you or someone you know is in crisis, seek immediate help :
Crisis Text Line : Text HOME to 741741 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline : Call, text or chat 988 BH Link : Rhode Islanders can call 401-414-LINK (5465) Kids’ Link RI : Parents can call 1-855-543-5465
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