Drug Poisoning - Overdose

Street drugs are increasingly toxic and in most cases include multiple substances that a person using may not suspect. The synthetic opioid Fentanyl is frequently detected in testing, including in substances that should not include opioids, such as stimulants and psychedelics. Depending on the user’s tolerance for opioids even small amounts can lead to drug poisoning (overdose).

On this page, we share and strategies to help you or your loved one to reduce the risks and explain how to respond if a drug poisoning event occurs.

A note on language. An overdose is commonly considered taking too much of a known substance. What we are experiencing now is people not knowing what is in the substances they are consuming, including the strengths. In this text, we use the term drug poisoning instead.

For safer use guidelines and more information, including signs of Stimmunlatant and Alcohol go to Toward The Heart

Safer Drug Use

  • Don’t use drugs alone, but if you do seek remote support, leave doors unlocked

  • Test your drugs if possible or start with a tester

  • Chose a safer consumption route if possible (inhale or ingest instead of injecting)

  • Don't mix drugs with alcohol or different drugs

  • Know your source and “bad drug alerts” in your community

  • Learn to recognize the signs of a drug poisoning event (overdose) and teach others

  • Get a Naloxone kit and overdose response training

  • Make sure friends and family have a kit and know how to use it

Responding to a drug poisoning event

In this video the Drug Overdose Prevention and Education (DOPE) Project shares how to recognize a drug poisoning event, and how to use Naloxone (Narcan) to reverse an overdose and save a person's life.

Overdose response apps and services

NORS Poster.jpg

National Overdose Response Service NORS - Call 1-888-688-NORS (6677): NORS is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians providing loving, confidential, non-judgmental support for you, whenever and wherever you use drugs.

BRAVE APP peer-to-peer remote support: The Brave App connects people who use drugs with community members when they are vulnerable to overdose.

Lifeguard App: Lifeguard App automatically contacts emergency responders if a user becomes unconscious or unable to function in the event of an overdose.

Remote Spotting - Keeping people safe

This is an educational animation about spotting - an overdose prevention method done by phone or video call. This new resource from CAPUD is available in both official languages and provides a step-by-step guide about spotting.

The Good Samaritan Overdose Act

The Good Samaritan Overdose Act protects you from possession charges when you call 911 during o overdose.

The Good Samaritan Overdose Act protects you from possession charges when you call 911 during o overdose.

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose.

  • The Act can protect you from:

    • Charges for possession of a controlled substance (i.e. drugs) under section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

    • Breach of conditions regarding simple possession of controlled substances (i.e. drugs) in pre-trial release

    • probation orders, conditional sentences and parole