Campaign emphasizes calling 911 during alcohol or drug emergencies

Communities in Middlesex County are adopting the “One Phone Call, One Life Saved” campaign to educate the public about laws aimed at saving lives in New Jersey.

Alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses are serious medical emergencies and should be treated as such, according to information from the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

The common symptoms of alcohol poisoning are mental confusion, inability to wake up, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin and paleness.

A person who has passed out may die by choking on his or her vomit, because the gag reflex is impaired. If possible, victims should be moved onto their side to avoid choking. Blood alcohol levels still rise while a person is unconscious, so they cannot sleep it off. The only thing that will help an overdose victim is emergency medical attention, according to the governor’s council.

Young people are exempt from prosecution if they call 911 for help, stay with the victim, and provide required information to the authorities responding to the incident.

The governor’s council offers posters, fliers, fact sheets and wallet cards to communities to help promote the campaign. Thousands of these materials have been distributed through schools and community organizations in Middlesex County.

To request a supply of campaign materials, contact Ellen Sbarro at [email protected].