This excerpt from "Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller’s Guide to Medical Care" outlines the critical knowledge for OEC technicians regarding substance abuse and poisoning emergencies. It details how substances enter and affect the body, covering routes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. The chapter identifies commonly abused substances and poisons, along with their associated signs and symptoms, and explains the proper assessment and care of affected individuals. Furthermore, it emphasizes personal safety and resources like poison control centers and CHEMTREC for guidance. The material also includes a case study and skill activities related to airway management, relevant in these emergency scenarios.