Substance Safety Guide

What NOT To Do

Comprehensive health and safety information to promote informed decision-making and harm reduction

What NOT To Do

Comprehensive Substance Reference & Harm Reduction Guide

What NOT To Do

GUIDE-WIDE SAFETY NOTICE: This guide is for recognition, harm-reduction, and emergency-reference purposes. Appearance alone cannot reliably identify a substance. Counterfeit pills, powders, vapes, edibles, and street mixtures may contain unexpected drugs. Do not taste, smell closely, burn, or handle an unknown substance to identify it. If poisoning is possible, contact Poison Control (U.S. 1-800-222-1222) or 911 for severe symptoms.

What NOT To Do

Do not assume someone can "sleep it off" when difficult to wake, breathing abnormally, or turning blue/gray.

Do not put an unconscious person in a cold shower or bath.

Do not force food, coffee, water, or other liquids into an unconscious or seizing person.

Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by Poison Control.

Do not put objects or fingers in the mouth of someone having a seizure.

Do not rely on appearance, street name, taste, or packaging to prove a drug's identity.