Preventing and responding to an overdose and naloxone

If you use opioids, you can reduce your risk of overdose death by:

Not using alone.

• When using with someone else, don't use at the same time. Be sure your friend is willing to call for help and make a plan for what to do if an overdose happens.  

• If you do use alone, tell someone before you use. Have a safety plan, leave the door unlocked and have someone come check on you. You can also call the National Overdose Prevention Line at 1-888-688-NORS (6677) or connect with an anonymous virtual harm reduction supporter via the Brave App.
• Use at a Supervised Consumption Service.

Don't mix drugs

Don't mix drugs with other drugs or alcohol. Mixing with other drugs puts you at higher risk of overdose.

• Use one drug at a time or if you plan on mixing, use less of each drug.  

Go slow

The quality of illicit drugs is unpredictable. Fentanyl is being cut (mixed) into both opioid and non-opioid drugs like powder and mixed into cocaine, heroin, and crack or like pills and being sold as 'oxycodone' (80s, oxys) or other pills including ecstasy/MDMA.

• Use in small amounts and do "testers" (or test doses) to check the strength of what you are using, but know that a small amount can cause an overdose.

Carry naloxone

Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available free to persons who use drugs and their family and friends!

Know your tolerance 

Tolerance is the body's ability to handle the effects of the drug being used. Tolerance to a drug develops over time.

Drug tolerance will decrease when somebody has taken a break from using - whether intentionally or unintentionally (for example, while in treatment, at the hospital or in jail). Your tolerance will also change depending on: 

• Weight,
• Illness,
• Stress,
• Lower immune system (from hepatitis for example),
• Lack of sleep,
• Other drugs/medications being used and
• General health. 

Use less drugs when your tolerance may be lower.

Your risk of overdose increases if you are new to using drugs or haven't used in a while!

Be aware

Drugs can be tampered with at any point. People selling drugs may not be aware if it has been mixed with anything before they sell it to you. 

An overdose may look different from one person to the next and depending on the drugs involved.  An overdose is a medical emergency. Always call 911.

5 Steps to Save a Life and the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act

What to do in case of overdose

COVID-19 Pandemic recommendations when responding to an overdose.

Remember to put on the non-latex gloves that come in your naloxone kit before you respond.

1. Shout the person’s name and shake their shoulders.

2. Call 9-1-1 right away if unresponsive.

3. Give naloxone:

• Spray: insert nozzle into nostril, then press plunger down firmly to give the dose (only spray once plunger is in the nostril)

Or

• Injectable: inject 1 vial or ampoule into arm or leg

4. Perform chest compressions only (not rescue breaths).

5. Is it working? If no improvement after 2-3 minutes, repeat steps 3 and 4.

6. Stay with them. 

If the person begins breathing on their own, or if you have to leave the person at any time, put them in the recovery position. The recovery position helps keep a person's airway open so they can breathe and can prevent them from choking on vomit or spit.

For more services and resources, visit the Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Services and Resources webpage. 

Visit the COVID-19 Main Page for more information and current situation.

Recovery Position

1. Responder extending victims closest arm above the victim’s head
2. Responder positions other arm across the victim's chest and bends furthest leg at the knee. Victim is rolled towards responder and placed on side
3. Victim laying on side with head stabilized on extended arm. Knee is bent and stabilized

It is important to stay with a person after giving them naloxone for the following reasons: 

• The person may be confused and frightened when they wake up. You will need to tell them what happened.
• A lot of opioids can last longer in the body than naloxone, so an overdose could return. It is important to make sure that the person knows not to take any more drugs.
• It is important to tell paramedics everything you know about the situation so they can provide the best care.
• Naloxone may cause people who have used opioids to go into withdrawal. This may make the person want to use again. Using more will increase the risk of overdose as the naloxone wears off. 
• Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable for the person but is not life threatening. Withdrawal symptoms may include:
  • Muscle aches,
  • Sweating,
  • Nausea/vomiting,
  • Agitation,
  • Irritability. 

Learn about tips on how to respond to overdoses of a stimulant (PDF) like cocaine, crystal meth, speed, MDMA, or Ritalin. 

An overdose is a life-threatening medical emergency. Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, but it does not cure an overdose. If anyone suspects or witnesses a person experiencing a drug overdose, call 911 and administer naloxone, even if the drug consumed is unknown. Example of opioids include heroin, morphine, codeine, Percocet, methadone, fentanyl, carfentanil, etc.

Being able to recognize the signs of an overdose quickly and having a naloxone kit can save a life. Naloxone can buy time while paramedics are en route. Take-home naloxone kits do not replace the need for emergency care or minimize the importance of calling 911. 

In Ontario, naloxone is available for free through programs like Peer Overdose Prevention Program (POPP). It is available to persons who could be at risk of an overdose and to people who could help someone who is overdosing. When you get your kit, you will also receive training on overdose prevention, recognizing an overdose and how to respond. Below is a list of places where you can get a free naloxone kit in Ottawa:

Ottawa Public Health's Site Needle & Syringe Program

Free kits and training available for clients and their family or friends.

• Site Office
  • Located on 179 Clarence St (in the Byward Market)
  • Available 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
• Mobile Site Van provides service throughout the City of Ottawa
  • Available 5 to 11:30 pm, 7 days a week
  • Telephone number: 613-232-3232
• For more information on these services visit Harm Reduction Services in Ottawa.

 Local Ottawa Pharmacies

Get a free kit and training at a participating pharmacy near you by:

• Calling the Drug and Alcohol Helpline @ 1-800-565-8603.  
• Checking this list of pharmacies that have naloxone. This list is managed by the Ministry of Health and Longterm Care. Should a pharmacy be missing from the list, please contact the Ministry. 

Once you have located a pharmacy, Ottawa Public Health suggests you call ahead to make sure that they currently have naloxone available.

Online Training

NaloxoneCare.com is an online learning portal to help individuals learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and how to give naloxone. You can get a free nasal naloxone kit once the training is completed.

St John's Ambulance and Sobeys Pharmacy Orleans

Free monthly opioid awareness and naloxone training sessions.

• Available the 1st Wednesday of each month from 12 noon to 1 pm
• Located on St John Ambulance (1050 Morrison Drive)
• To register, send an email to info.ottawa@sja.ca.

The Ottawa Hospital

Training and naloxone kits available for registered patients at risk of overdose.  

Sandy Hill Community Health Centre's Oasis Overdose Prevention Service

Naloxone kits available through walk-in services Monday-Friday.

• Located on 221 Nelson Street, 1st floor
• Telephone number: 613 569-3488

• Possession of controlled substances (example, drugs)
• Breaches in pre-trial release, probation orders, conditional sentences, or parole related to simple possession

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act does not provide protection against charges for:

• Outstanding arrest warrants
• Making and selling of controlled substances (example, drugs)
• All other crimes not outlined within the Act

For more information, visit the Government of Canada website.