ABSTRACT: Drug abuse is a problem that encompasses people of both sexes, all ages, all occupations, all socio-economic classes, and all ethnic groups. Drug abuse promotes trauma and illnesses of all kinds, thus any sort of emergency call may involve the abuse of some kind of drug. The presence of drugs or alcohol within a patient's system may significantly alter the management requirements of whatever emergency generated the call. Drug and alcohol abuse also poses a significant threat to provider safety. Thus, EMS providers require periodic review of drug abuse management and techniques for preserving provider safety.

[Because adequate discussion of alcohol abuse requires a lengthy presentation
all of its own, alcohol abuse is not included in this presentation.]

Depending upon the presentation length, drugs of abuse addressed may include any of the following:

• ACETAMINOPHEN
• AMPHETAMINES
• BARBITURATES
• BENZODIAZEPINES
• COCAINE
• DIURETICS
• HALLUCINOGENS:
  including LSD,
  ECSTASY (& other "new" hallucinogens, such as "Rohypnol" - "Date Rape"),
  and PCP
• NARCOTICS
• NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs)
• SALICYLATES
• TRICYCLICS
• XANTHINES.

The general substance abuse management and treatment modalities discussed may be applied to any substance abuse situation (including alcohol abuse).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After attending this presentation, participants will

1. recognize rescuer safety as being their highest priority; followed by patient safety, airway control, oxygenation, and circulatory management.
2. understand that drug abusers cannot be "recognized" by their appearance or surroundings, as they include people of both sexes, all ages, all occupations, all socio-economic classes, and all nationalities.
3. realize that drug abuse promotes trauma and illnesses of all kinds. Thus, the possibility of drug abuse or overdose should be considered when assessing ANY sort of emergency call.
4. recognize that most drug overdose situations are poly-pharmaceutical events, and understand how this fact effects assessment and treatment.
5. always administer naloxone and 50% dextrose (and thiamin when available) in the presence of depressed or altered levels of consciousness.
6. recognize the indications, contraindications, and potential dangers of Ipecac, activated charcoal, naloxone and flumazenil administration.

1. INTRODUCTION:
   
   • discussion of the "most-abused" drugs
   • drug abuse problems most frequently associated with EMS emergencies
   • drug abuse promotion of trauma and illnesses of all kinds.

2. INTENTIONAL vs. ACCIDENTAL DRUG OVERDOSE

3. GENERAL RULES FOR TREATMENT of drug overdoses

4. PROFILE OF "DRUG ABUSERS"

5. DRUG SUBJECTS for any presentation will be selected based upon the presentation's time length, drug subjects previously covered in your area (in the event of a "return engagement"), and any special requests made by you - the host.
   Coverage will include discussion of each drug's:
   • GENERIC & TRADE NAMES
   • SOURCES and/or HISTORY
   • INDICATIONS
   • TOXICITY RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS
   • SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS for TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE
   • "POINTS TO REMEMBER"

6. REVIEW OF GENERAL TREATMENT AND POINTS TO REMEMBER

7. SUMMARY

Email Charly at: c-d-miller@neb.rr.com
Those are hyphens/dashes between the "c" and "d" and "miller"