Drugs

Signs of an opioid overdose include:

• Can’t be woken up
• Breathing is slow or has stopped
• Snoring or gurgling sounds
• Nails and lips turn blue
• Pupils are tiny or eyes are rolled back
• Body is limp

What do I do if I see an overdose?

An overdose is a medical emergency.

Here are the 5 things you can do to save a life:

1. Shout the person’s name and shake their shoulders
2. Call 9-1-1 if the person is unresponsive
3. Give naloxone: 1 spray into nostril or inject 1 vial or ampoule into arm or leg
4. Perform chest compressions or CPR and/or rescue breathing as trained
5. Check to see if the naloxone is working. If the person does not start breathing normally on their own and additional doses of naloxone are available, doses of naloxone can be administered every 2-3 minutes until first responders arrive.

If you need to leave the person, place them in the recovery position. The recovery position helps keep the person’s airway open so they can breathe and can prevent them from choking on vomit or spit.

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It will start to work in approximately 2-3 minutes. Naloxone stays active in the body for up to 2 hours. If the opioid is still in the body after the naloxone wears off, the overdose can return. This is why you need to call 9-1-1 in every overdose situation.

What is the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act?

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects you, the person who is overdosing, and anyone at the scene from being charged with:

• Simple possession of illegal drugs
• Breaches in pre-trial release, probation orders, conditional sentences, or parole related to simple possession

Tolerance is the body’s ability to handle the effects of the substance being used. Tolerance will change depending on many factors (i.e. weight, illness, stress, etc.). Tolerance can decrease when someone has taken a break from using.

Don’t mix drugs with other drugs and alcohol

Using different substances together can increase impairment. This increases your chance of overdoses, accidents, and injuries.

Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Free naloxone kits are available through the Ontario Naloxone Pharmacy Program.

Anything can be contaminated with fentanyl or carfentanil. You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it. Even the smallest amount of fentanyl or carfentanil (i.e. the size of a few grains of salt) can cause an opioid overdose. Do tests to check the strength of what you are using.