YOU'RE AT A PARTY AND YOUR FRIEND HAS OVERDOSED. It happens. And it's up to you to think twice about your responsibilities-not only to your friends, but your legal responsibilities.
All too often, teenagers are partying and someone takes a hit of ecstasy, does a line of coke, or passes out from drinking too much. Or someone slipped something into a friend's drink and she's unconscious. Something goes terribly wrong.
As Irma lay dying from the effects of an Ecstasy pill, her friends gave her marijuana, mistakenly thinking it was "medicine."
Chances are your friend has overdosed on drugs and is in trouble.
Too many teens shrug it off, thinking or hoping a friend is just
sleeping. Or they know something's wrong, but they are afraid of
getting into trouble if they try to get help. The harsh truth is
this: if your friend is severely injured or dies—and you have provided
the drugs, or you choose not to help—your actions or inaction,
depending upon the circumstances, can have legal consequences.
What should you do?
First, get your friend help from adults—they may call 911 and get medical help. Give accurate details about what has happened and make sure you provide first responders with as much information as possible on what drug(s) your friend took, how long ago it was taken, how much was taken (if you know) and which other people (like your friend's family members) should be contacted immediately.
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