My neighbor really is using drugs. How do I still be a neighbor?
Treat them as a neighbor with a health condition, not a lost cause: say hello, keep your boundaries, and know how to respond to an overdose.The CDC calls addiction a disease, not a character flaw, and it is treatable. Carrying naloxone and knowing to call 911 could let you save a life.
1 · MindWhat it is, and what to do
Addiction is a health condition. The CDC says plainly that addiction is a disease, not a character flaw, and that substance use disorders (the medical term for addiction) are treatable. It’s also common: 1 in 6 Americans report having experienced a substance use disorder. Stigma, like treating addiction as a moral failure instead of a medical issue, can keep people from getting help.
Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose, including from fentanyl, heroin or prescription pain pills, if given in time. It comes as a nasal spray or a shot, and anyone can use it without medical training. It’s sold over the counter in all 50 states, so you don’t need a prescription. It won’t harm someone who is overdosing on something other than opioids, so the CDC says to use it whenever you suspect an overdose. Follow the directions on the package.
Signs of an opioid overdose:
- Can’t be woken up.
- Slow or shallow breathing, trouble breathing, or choking sounds.
- Discolored skin, especially lips or nails.
- Very small, “pinpoint” pupils that don’t react to light.
If you can’t tell whether someone is high or overdosing, treat it as an overdose.
Good Samaritan laws in most states may protect people who call 911 during an overdose, and the person overdosing, from criminal penalties. The details vary by state.
What each tradition or community says
Many people in recovery say what helped wasn’t being shamed but being treated like a person: a neighbor who still said hello, who saw them as more than their addiction.
Families of people who use drugs often live with constant fear of an overdose. Many carry naloxone and hope their neighbors will too.
The CDC treats substance use disorders as treatable health conditions and says people with them need support like those with any other disease. It notes that stigma can keep people from getting or staying in treatment.
2 · HeartWhat it feels like
For a neighbor who uses drugs, being whispered about, avoided or watched can deepen the shame that often comes with addiction. Stigma can keep people from getting help.
For you, it’s OK to feel worried, frustrated or even afraid. Being kind doesn’t mean ignoring real safety concerns. You can care about someone and still keep good boundaries.
You don’t have to fix anyone to be a good neighbor. Staying human with each other is where help starts.Neighbor Radio
3 · HandsHow to be a good neighbor
Keep being a neighbor. Say hello. Use their name. Treat them like anyone else on the block.
Keep healthy boundaries. You don’t have to lend money, let anyone in, or ignore anything that puts you or your family at risk. Being kind and being careful can go together.
Carry naloxone. You can get it at pharmacies and many stores without a prescription, and through community naloxone programs.
If you think someone is overdosing:
- Call 911.
- Give naloxone if you have it, following the package directions. The CDC notes more than one dose may be needed with strong opioids like fentanyl.
- Try to keep them awake and breathing, and lay them on their side so they don’t choke.
- Stay with them until help arrives.
Share the helpline. The SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP), is free, confidential, and open 24/7, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish. It helps people find treatment and support. For a mental health or substance use crisis with no immediate danger, people can also call or text 988.
This weekFind out where you can get naloxone near you this week, and keep one in your bag or car.
Four questions to take with you
From the story of the Good Samaritan, the stranger who stopped to help. We call it the Good Neighbor Test.
- Did they see? Or look right past?
- Did they stop? Even when it was inconvenient?
- Did it cost them? Time, money, comfort, reputation?
- Did they treat the person like a person? Not like a label?
Try it on: think of someone you love who has struggled with something hard. How did you want others to treat them?
Quick questions
Can naloxone hurt someone if I’m wrong about an overdose?
The CDC says naloxone won’t harm someone who is overdosing on something other than opioids, so use it whenever you suspect an overdose. Always call 911 too.
Will I get in trouble for calling 911 during an overdose?
Most states have Good Samaritan laws that may protect people who call for help during an overdose from criminal penalties. The details vary by state.
Should I call the police on my neighbor for using drugs?
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, think about what would actually help. Sharing the SAMHSA helpline or simply staying in touch can matter more than you’d guess.
Is addiction a choice?
The CDC calls addiction a disease, not a character flaw. Like other health conditions, it’s treatable.
- CDC: Lifesaving Naloxone
- CDC: If You Think Someone Is Overdosing
- CDC: Stigma Reduction
- CDC: Stop Overdose
- SAMHSA: National Helpline
Fact-checked October 13, 2026 against CDC and SAMHSA. Written in plain words by the Neighbor Radio team. Every fact is checked against what each community says about itself, in its own official sources, plus a neutral reference. Part of this community and something doesn't sound like you, or spot a mistake? Tell us. We read every note and fix mistakes.
There’s no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are.
