One Phone Call. One Life Saved.

The South Brunswick Municipal Alliance has recently incorporate the message on two billboards in the township, encouraging individuals who witness an alcohol or drug overdose to call 911.

It is critical that the public, especially teens, know that alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses are serious medical emergencies and should be treated as such. This is not the time to hesitate to call for help for fear of getting in trouble. 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. However, this law will only save lives if young people know it exists.

How do you recognize alcohol poisoning? The common symptoms are mental confusion, inability to wake up, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin, and paleness. Do not wait for someone to have all the symptoms before calling for help. A person who has passed out may die by choking on his or her own vomit, because the gag reflex is impaired. If possible, move the victim onto their side to avoid choking. Blood alcohol levels still rise while a person is unconscious so they CANNOT sleep it off. Never try to sober up the overdose victim, because nothing you do will help except emergency medical attention.

The Coalition offers posters, flyers, fact sheets, and wallet cards to communities to help promote the campaign. Thousands of these materials have been distributed throughout the county through schools and community organizations. To request a supply of campaign material, contact Ellen Sbarro at ellens@ncadd-middlesex.org.