Drug Toxicity - Overdose

The unregulated drug supply (aka 'street supply') is increasingly unpredictable and toxic. People are unaware of what substances their drugs contain. A range of high potency synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines, and veterinary tranquilizers are showing up in down, stimulants, and party drugs. Even small amounts of these substances can cause toxicity (overdose) for someone who doesn't have a tolerance to them..

On this page, we share strategies to help you or your loved one reduce risks of harm and provide tips for how to respond in the case of an opioid toxicity.

A note on language: An overdose is commonly considered taking too much of a known substance. The crisis we are experiencing is due to people not knowing what substances they are consuming or how powerful they are. In this context, we use the term 'drug toxicity'.

For more safer use tips and information about recognizing and responding to toxicity events (including for alcohol and stimulants), please 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