If you use drugs, consider using the National Overdose Response Service Line (NORS). NORS is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians, providing compassionate, confidential, and nonjudgmental support for people, whenever and wherever they use drugs. If using drugs alone, call or text (Canada only) 1-888-688-6677 (NORS).
Learn how you can help friends and family who use substances stay safe when using drugs by watching this video created by the Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs (CAPUD): How to Spot Someone so They Never Use Alone.
If you are looking for help for yourself or someone close to you with a substance, use disorder visit - CONNEX.
How Opioids Affect the Body
Opioids are drugs used to help manage pain-from a broken bone to long-term illness. Doctors may prescribe them for short-term or chronic pain.
Opioids are drugs that also slow down the brain, especially the part that controls breathing.
If someone takes too much, or mixes opioids with other substances, their breathing can stop. Without help, this can lead to death.
This kind of emergency is called opioid poisoning, and it’s happening in communities across Simcoe Muskoka.
Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse opioid poisoning. It helps restore normal breathing temporarily and gives someone more time until help arrives. It’s safe, easy to use and can save lives.
Signs of Opioid Poisoning
- Blue/purple/grey lips, fingernails, or toenails
- Very slow or no breathing
- Faint pulse or no pulse
- Pale and clammy skin
- Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
- Choking, snoring or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Small, constricted ‘pinpoint’ pupils
There are 5 Steps in Responding to an Opioid Overdose
Step 1 – Shout their name and Shake their shoulders
Step 2 – Call 911 if unresponsive
Step 3 – Give Naloxone – 1 spray into Nostril or 1 ampule into an arm or leg
Step 4 – Provide rescue breaths and or chest compressions if trained
Step 5 – Is it working. If no improvement after 2 – 3 minutes repeat steps 3 and 4. Stay with the person
How to be safer when using opioids
- Use as prescribed: Only take opioids as directed by your doctor
- Know the risks: Even legal opioids can lead to dependence
- Watch out for others: If you see someone with signs of an opioid poisoning act immediately by calling 911
- Carry Naloxone and know how to use it: Naloxone kits are free and can reverse opioid poisonings. You can pick a kit up at many pharmacies and community service providers in Simcoe Muskoka. Find Naloxone kits near you at: Where to get a free naloxone kit
What Increases the Risk of Opioid Poisoning?
Opioid poisoning doesn’t just happen to people who take too large a dose-it can happen in everyday situations. Here are some key risk factors:
- Using more than usual
- Combining opioids with alcohol or other substances like benzodiazepines or stimulants.
- Inconsistent and unknown drug quality
- Using drugs after a period of time of not using them. Tolerance decreases quickly.
- Using alone – there is no one to help
Many people have been affected by opioid use-sometimes prescribed and sometimes not. One danger is the unregulated (illegal) drug supply in local communities. Street drugs can contain dangerous amounts of fentanyl or other substances, making opioid poisonings more likely.
See Toronto Drug Checking Services Drug Dictionary for more information of substances found in the unregulated supply.
Other Helpful Information
The Good Samaritan Act
The Good Samaritan Drug Overdoses Act provides some legal protection for people who call 911 or need emergency help during an overdose. The Act can protect you from charges from possession of a controlled substance (drugs) and breaches of certain legal conditions. The Act does not provide legal protection against more serious offences like outstanding warrants or production and trafficking of drugs. ingredients.
What are Counterfeit Pills?
Counterfeit pills are fake medications that have different ingredients and composition than the actual medicinal ingredients. Fake pills may contain no active ingredient, the wrong active ingredient or have the right ingredient but the wrong amount. Learn more about counterfeit pills at: Counterfeit Pills: What you Need to Know.
