Drug Overdoes Ecstasy vs. Heroin overdoses -- treatment and diagnosis

For many EMTs, depending on the city and time they are stationed in, one of the most common problems they will have to cope with is dealing with a drug overdose. However, although all drug overdoses are dangerous, not all illegal drug overdoses are the same, symptomatically or in their treatment. A great deal of misinformation exists regarding drug overdoses and their treatment in popular culture -- even the popular film "Pulp Fiction" which depicts a 'successful' treatment of snorted heroin is in fact inaccurate -- ephedrine to the heart would not have saved a victim of a heroin overdose in real life. (Kuhn, 2003)

When dealing with any suspected drug overdose, the first thing to determine is in fact the victim's symptoms are indeed due to the ingestion of a drug, rather than of alternate cause. This is especially important to note with drugs such as heroin and ecstasy, both of which are sometimes fatal within as short a span of two to four hours, even for some hardened addicts whom have had a 'break' from the drug for...

Once the cause of the victim's symptoms as an illegal drug overdose, is determined, through asking witnesses or the victim him or herself, it is important to note specifically that symptoms of a heroin overdose include but are not limited to spasm's in the sufferer's muscles, affected breathing (either slow, labored, shallow or stopped), as well as the classic 'pinpointed' pupils. The victim may also report a dry mouth, have cold and clammy skin, a bluish discoloration on the tongue or fingernails and exhibit lips spasms. If able to speak, the victim may report stomach and/or intestinal tract disturbance, including constipation if a long-term user. The victim will usually have a weak pulse, low blood pressure, and exhibit signs of drowsiness disorientation and listlessness. Signs of a coma or delirium are also possible. The first response of the EMT must be to alleviate the victim's low blood pressure, help the victim to become more alert, and prevent the victim from choking on his or her own vomit in the case of stomach disturbance. ("Heroin," Overdose.com, 2004)
Heroin…