Preventing Opioid Overdose

What is an overdose?

Overdoses usually occur accidentally when someone takes more of an opioid dose than their body can handle. This can happen if someone has just started using an opioid drug; resumes taking an opioid drug after a period of not taking one for a while; switches from one opioid drug to another; takes more than their usual opioid dose; takes more than one drug at the same time; or develops an illness when taking opioid drugs. When an overdose occurs, breathing becomes slower and shallower, and in more serious overdoses, stops completely. This may result in loss of consciousness, brain damage and death.

Learn how to reduce your risk of an opioid overdose.

What to do if you are going to use

Signs and symptoms of an overdose

What to do if you suspect an overdose

Naloxone Kits

Drug Testing Strips

If you are going to use:

1. Don't use 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. Leave the door unlocked and have someone come check on you.
• If you have a naloxone kit, tell someone where you keep it.

2. Go slow, and don't mix drugs

• Don't mix opioids with other drugs or alcohol.
• Using more than one drug at a time increases your risk of overdose.
• Start using in small amounts and do "testers" (or test doses) to check the strength of what you are using.
• The quality of street drugs is unpredictable. Fentanyl is being mixed into both opioid and non opioid drugs:
• Made as a powder and mixed into cocaine, heroin, and crack.
• Made as pills and being sold as 'oxycodone' (eighties, oxys) or other pills including ecstasy/MDMA.
• You can’t taste, smell or see Fentanyl. Very small amounts can cause an overdose.

3. Know your tolerance

Your risk of overdose increases if you are a new user or haven’t used in three, or more days.

• Tolerance is the body's ability to 'handle' the effects of the drug being used.
• Drug tolerance will decrease when somebody has taken a break from using - whether the break is on purpose or forced (like while in treatment, hospital or jail).
• Your tolerance will also change depending on: weight, illness, general health status, lack of sleep and using other drugs.
• Use less drugs when your tolerance may be lower.

Signs and symptoms of an overdose:

• Nodding off, not waking up easily, or unresponsive
• Slow or no breathing
• Blue lips and fingernails
• Cold and clammy skin
• Limp body
• Snoring or gurgling
• Possible throw up

What to do if you suspect an overdose:

• Call 911 Immediately
• Use naloxone, place them in the recovery position
• Stay with the person
• The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can provide some legal protection for people who experience or witness an overdose and call 911 for help.
• The Act can protect you if you are in violation of the following conditions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act:
• parole
• pre-trial release
• probation orders
• simple possession
• conditional sentences

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act applies to anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose, including the person experiencing an overdose. The Act protects those who either stay or leave from the overdose scene before help arrives.

Drug Testing Strips

 Opioids sourced from the illegal drug supply carry significant risks due to potential contamination with dangerous substances like fentanyl, xylazine, and benzodiazepines. Drug test strips can help detect these contaminants and save lives, though they are not 100% accurate.

Drug test strips can be found at CarePoint and Counterpoint Harm Reduction Programs, local pharmacies, and community health centers. Drug test strips are used by dissolving a small amount of the drug in water, dipping the strip in, and following the instructions for results.

For more information, visit Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Service or the Ministry of Health's Limitations of test strips to check illegal drugs for dangerous substances.