Suspect an overdose?Give naloxone (Narcan)thencall 911 immediatelyReport naloxone use
Byron’s Box

COMPASSION IN OUR COMMUNITY

Fighting stigma

Support, not stigma. Love, not shame.

Care for the whole person

Behind every story is a person, a family, and a community. We honor that humanity by listening without judgment and offering practical support.

  • Use language that puts the person first.
  • Listen with compassion.
  • Share information and resources without blame.
How to use naloxone Find support & resources
Illustrated naloxone awareness poster showing a child, two friends, a grandparent, a dog, and a cat. The complete text is provided below.
Read the graphic as text

TEXT FROM THE GRAPHIC

Naloxone saves lives

Naloxone (Narcan) isn’t just for people with addiction.

  • It’s for the child who accidentally swallowed an opioid pill.
  • It’s for the friend or teen who took a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl.
  • It’s for the grandparent who accidentally took an extra dose of opioid medication.
  • It’s for the dog or cat accidentally exposed to opioids. Seek emergency veterinary care.

It’s for anyone experiencing an opioid overdose.

Support, not stigma. Love, not shame.

Carry it. Share it. Save a life.

byronsbox.org

CHALLENGE THE MYTHS

Narcan: true or false?

Fear and misinformation cost lives. Test what you know, challenge the myths, and arm yourself with the truth.

Read each statement, decide if it’s true or false, then check the answer below it.

01. Having Narcan around encourages people to use more drugs.

Answer: False

Research has not shown that having naloxone leads to more or riskier drug use. It gives people a second chance to live, and to someday recover.

02. If you’re not sure it’s an opioid overdose, it’s still safe to give Narcan.

Answer: True

If it isn’t an opioid overdose, Narcan won’t hurt them. When in doubt, give it, then immediately call 911.

03. Narcan can get you high.

Answer: False

Narcan has no high at all. It blocks the effects of opioids and is safe to give even if opioids are not present.

04. Anyone can give Narcan. You don’t need medical training.

Answer: True

If you can use a nasal spray, you can save a life. Peel, place, press. Give Narcan, then immediately call 911.

05. One dose of Narcan is always enough.

Answer: False

More than one dose may be needed. Give additional doses every 2–3 minutes as needed, using a new device for each dose. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives.

06. Narcan can wear off before the opioids do.

Answer: True

That’s why you give Narcan, then immediately call 911 and stay with the person until emergency help arrives, even after they wake up.

07. Once the person wakes up, the danger is over.

Answer: False

The overdose can come back when Narcan wears off. Give Narcan, then immediately call 911. Stay with them until emergency help arrives.

08. Most people wake up violent after Narcan.

Answer: False

People may wake up confused, scared, sick, or cold. Speak calmly, tell them what happened, and reassure them that help is coming. If you can, offer them a blanket.

09. In California, the Good Samaritan law provides limited protection when someone seeks emergency help for an overdose.

Answer: True

California’s Good Samaritan law provides limited protection for certain personal-use drug and paraphernalia offenses when someone seeks emergency help for an overdose.

Read the California law, AB 472 (PDF)

10. You need a prescription to get Narcan.

Answer: False

Narcan nasal spray is sold over the counter. You don’t need a prescription to buy it. We’re preparing to offer free naloxone through Byron’s Box. Locations will be listed here when boxes are available.

11. Someone who is overdosing can usually give themselves Narcan.

Answer: False

A person who is overdosing usually can’t help themselves. It has to be administered by someone nearby. That’s why everyone should carry it.

12. Overdose only happens to certain kinds of people.

Answer: False

Overdose happens to sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and parents. It happens to people who are deeply loved.

Be someone’s angel. Carry Narcan. Save a life.

Suspect an overdose? Give naloxone (Narcan), then immediately call 911. Stay until emergency help arrives.

Sources & further reading

REFRAME THE MINDSET

Every person is someone’s loved one

The words we use shape how people are treated, and whether they feel safe asking for help. Shame keeps people hiding. Compassion keeps them alive.

Words that put the person first
Instead ofTry
Addict Person with a substance use disorder
Junkie, user Person who uses drugs
Clean In recovery, not using
Dirty Currently using
  • Substance use disorder is a health condition, not a moral failing or a lack of willpower.
  • Recovery isn’t a straight line. Setbacks are part of many people’s journey, not the end of it.
  • Staying alive comes first. Every life saved is another chance at healing.
  • Lead with kindness. A calm voice and a little respect can be the reason someone reaches out for help.

FOR FAMILIES

Love someone who uses? You matter too

Loving someone through substance use can feel lonely, frightening, and exhausting. You are not alone, and it is not your fault. You didn’t cause it, and you can’t control it, but you can stay connected and help keep them safe.

Ways to help your loved one

  • Keep Narcan at home and with you. Show everyone in the house where it is.
  • Stay connected. Keep the door open, even when it’s hard. Connection gives people a reason to keep going.
  • Speak without shame. Calm, honest words help more than anger or blame.
  • Learn about treatment options so you’re ready when they are.

Take care of yourself

  • Rest, eat, and let other people help you.
  • Find people who understand. Support groups for families can be a lifeline.
  • Set boundaries when you need to. Protecting your own peace is not giving up on them.

SPACE TO REMEMBER

If you’ve lost someone

Your grief is real, and your person’s life mattered. Losing someone to overdose can bring shame and silence that other losses don’t. You deserve support and space to remember them with love.

If general grief groups haven’t felt like the right fit, you’re not alone. Groups made for families who’ve lost someone to substance use, like GRASP, understand this kind of loss.

GRASP — Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing offers support for families who have lost someone.

Visit GRASPJoin an online meeting from anywhere

New attendees need to register with the meeting facilitator. Details are on GRASP’s meeting page.

Where to find support

SAMHSA National Helpline

Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment and support referrals.

Call 1-800-662-4357About the helpline

988 Lifeline

Call or text anytime for emotional support or crisis help.

Call 988Text 988About the Lifeline

Nar-Anon

Support groups for families and friends of people who use drugs.

Find a Nar-Anon meeting

BREAK THE SILENCE

Our stories have power

Stigma grows in silence. Every time we hide what we’ve lived through, shame wins a little more. When we speak openly about substance use, recovery, and loss, we take that power back.

Your voice could be the reason someone else stays alive.

  • Refuse to carry shame that isn’t yours. Substance use disorder is a medical condition. Living through it, or loving someone through it, is nothing to hide.
  • Share your lived experience. Hearing “me too” can help someone feel less alone and more ready to ask for help.
  • Talk openly with family, friends, and your community. Honest, caring conversations make it easier for people to seek treatment instead of suffering in secret.
  • Start the conversation with love. When you talk with someone who’s struggling, lead with care, not judgment, and let them know you’re on their side.
  • Say their names. Speaking about the people we’ve lost keeps their memory alive and reminds the world that every overdose took someone loved.

Be someone’s angel. Carry Narcan. Save a life.

In an overdose emergency, always call 911.