Drug Overdose Prevention

If you suspect an overdose, CALL 911 immediately.

April 21 - Updates from the Overdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagara (OPENN)
- Positive Living Niagara has submitted its application for an Overdose Prevention Site application to the province. The Supervised Injection Site working group of is mapping out the process involved for a potential site applOverdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagaraication.
- Naloxone has been distributed to 10 key agencies within the critical social and close peer network. Seven other agencies are in the process of receiving naloxone.
- The Prevention / Planning subgroup is beginning the process of coordinating development of a community drug strategy
- The Communication subgroup of Overdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagara has developed its opioid awareness campaign which will be launched in early May. The campaign will be mostly social media based, but will also include posters and transit shelter ads. Niagara Region Public Health has developed a social media toolkit to support members of the Overdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagara in the upcoming campaign.
- Public Health staff continue to work with the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board regarding naloxone and opioids
For more information, see Public Health and Social Services Committee agendas and minutes.

Niagara Statistics

With Canada's recent increase in opioid related morbidity and mortality, Niagara has produced some local statistics. Find out more about opioid overdose and naloxone use in Niagara.

People can overdose on prescription drugs, over the counter drugs and recreational drugs. Symptoms of an overdose may include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Confusion
Hallucinations
Problems with vision
Seizures

Opioids

Opioids are usually prescription pain killers with names like codeine, morphine, OxyContin and Percocet. Another street version of an opioid is heroin.

Fentanyl is a manmade opiate narcotic used mostly for cancer patients in severe pain. Fentanyl is roughly 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.

In Canada, many deaths have been caused by other street drugs being cut with fentanyl. Fentanyl is very dangerous because you can't see it, smell it or taste it. If your drug of choice has been cut with Fentanyl, it can quickly kill you.

An opioid overdose may look and feel like:

Severe sleepiness
Slow heartbeat
Trouble breathing
Slow, shallow breathing
Cold, clammy, bluish skin
Trouble walking or talking
Non-responsiveness to shouting or shaking

Naloxone Kits

Naloxone is an emergency medication that reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, methadone and morphine. Naloxone is not an antidote to an overdose, but it can keep a person alive until emergency services arrive.

For Residents

Naloxone kits are free in Ontario. If you are a person who uses opioids, or are a family member or loved one of someone at risk for an overdose, you can get a kit at a pick-up location.