NHS Ayrshire & Arran Public Health Drug Alert for People who use drugs
Harm reduction messages for people who use drugs/substances
Drug related harms including near fatal overdose and death remain high in East Ayrshire in both town and rural communities
People have reported seeing or experiencing:
Problems with white pills
Sudden collapse (shortly after smoking or injecting drugs)
Becoming unresponsive (will not respond to shaking or shouting)
Snoring or noisy breathing
Blue or pale lips and skin
Seizures or fits
What you can do to reduce your risks
Don’t use alone
Make sure you have access to naloxone when using drugs
If using together, try to stagger your use, take turns and leave enough time between injecting so that someone can respond with naloxone if needed
If someone is intoxicated, don’t leave them alone
Alcohol, mixing of prescribed and other drugs increases the risk of harm
If you are concerned, contact your treatment provider or harm reduction service
Test drugs using www.wedinos.org
Stop the Deaths Overdose Booklet – Scottish Drugs Forum
If someone is overdosing call 999 straight away and ask for an ambulance.
Give as much information as possible.
Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid/drug overdose
Carry naloxone at all times
Naloxone should be given to anyone who is unresponsive and displaying the signs of an overdose (snoring, difficulty breathing, pin-point pupils, blue lips) leaving 2-3 minutes between doses.
Get naloxone from your local drug service or order online from www.sfad.org.uk
Updated 12th March 2026
From Ayrshire and Arran NHS - Public Health
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