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Opioids and Overdoses

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Experts predict there will be more deaths from opioid overdoses this summer. Knowing the facts saves lives:

  • On average, 20 people die from an opioid overdose every day in Canada.
  • Even experienced opioid users are at risk of ODing.
  • Naloxone is safe to give to anyone suspected of overdosing. ‍ ‍ ‍
  • Naloxone does NOT encourage drug use.
  • Naloxone only works for up to 2 hours, after that, the person is at risk of ODing again.
  • The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection for anyone seeking help during an OD ‍⚖️
  • Having drugs on your skin or clothes won’t make you OD

If you use drugs this summer, use safely. Check out these resources for safe usage tips

Sources
  1. Opioids – Canada.ca  | Government of Canada 
    • Opioids are pain relief drugs that can make you feel euphoric/high. Codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, methadone, and heroin are all opioids.
  2. Fentanyl and Carfentanil | Ottawa Public Health 
    • Fentanyl is an opioid that is much stronger (and more toxic!) than most opioids.
  3. Preventing and Responding to an Overdose and Naloxone | Ottawa Public Health
    • Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effect of an opioid overdose (OD) and prevent death and brain damage from a lack of oxygen.
    • ODing happens as soon as you take too much of a drug. What is “too much” can vary from day to day.
    • Since an overdose is life-threatening, giving Naloxone is the best option regardless of age or any other health condition including pregnancy.
    • While Naloxone takes a few minutes to work, it only stays active in the body for up to 2 hours. On the other hand, most opioids stay in the system for longer than 2 hours.  Once the Naloxone wears off, the person could OD again.
    • How to stay safe if you do use drugs this summer:
    • Don’t mix drugs and don’t mix with alcohol
    • Don’t use alone, but if you do:
      • Tell a friend
      • Have a safety plan
      • Leave your door unlocked
    • Know the symptoms of an OD
  4. Canada’s opioid overdose crisis | Government of Canada 
    • Canada has been facing an opioid crisis for many years and it has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  5. Opioid- and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada – Public Health Infobase | Public Health Agency of Canada
    • Last year, about 20 people died every day from opioids and 17 more were hospitalized; 97% of these opioid-related deaths were accidental.
  6. Modelling projections for opioid-related deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak | Government of Canada
    • Experts predict there will be more deaths from opioid overdoses this summer.
  7. Overdose Myths | Heather Hayes & Associates
    • Most people who OD are long-time users.
  8. 5 Myths About Opioid Overdose | American Addiction Centers
    • Most people who OD are long-time users.
  9. Drug Overdose Myths | Just Think Twice
    • ODing happens as soon as you take too much of a drug. What is “too much” can vary from person to person.
  10. Common Misconceptions Of Naloxone And Instructions For Use | Amity Medical Group
    • Naloxone only has an effect on the body if opioids are present in the system and won’t be harmful if the person is not ODing, or is ODing but on a non-opioid drug.
  11. Myths and Facts About Naloxone | CVS Health
    • Naloxone saves lives.
    • People surviving an overdose because of Naloxone might beare more likely to seek treatment.
  12. No Evidence of Compensatory Drug Use Risk Behavior Among Heroin Users After Receiving Take-Home Naloxone | Addictive Behaviors | Published March 9, 2017
    • Naloxone does not increase drug use.
  13. Evaluation of an overdose prevention and response training programme for injection drug users in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles, CA | International Journal of Drug Policy | Published May 2010
    • Naloxone has been shown to decrease opioid use.
  14. Myth #1: Naloxone encourages substance users to take more drugs. | Indiana State Department of Health
    • Naloxone has been shown to decrease opioid use.
    • People surviving an overdose because of Naloxone might beare more likely to seek treatment.
  15. 5 Naloxone Myths Debunked | American Addiction Centers
    • Naloxone has been shown to decrease opioid use.
  16. About the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act | Government of Canada
    • Since 2017, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides legal protection for anyone seeking help during an overdose, whether they are the one helping or the one ODing.
    • Under this act, you can’t be charged for drug possession or any breaches of conditions such as pre-trial release, probation orders, conditional sentences, or parole related to simple possession.
  17. Dispelling Myths About Opioids – Fact Sheet | Canadian Mental Health Association
    • Having drugs on your skin or clothes won’t make you OD or get high.
    • Avoid contact (fentanyl) with your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  18. Fentanyl Exposure, Protection, and Treatment Myths and Facts | Health Canada
    • Absorption through the skin is VERY slow. You can safely help anyone who is ODing.
    • Clean your skin and clothes with soap (do not use any alcohol-based product since it can increase the absorption).
  19. Interactive map: Canada’s response to the opioid overdose crisis | Government of Canada
    • If you do use drugs this summer, consider a safe injection site.
  20. Naloxone | Government of Canada
    • How to stay safe if you do use drugs this summer: Get yourself some Naloxone.

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