Opioids and Naloxone

Opioids, such as oxycodone, morphine, heroin, and fentanyl are drugs that can be used to relieve pain. These drugs may be legally prescribed by a healthcare professional for the short-term or long-term treatment of pain. Opioids are also made, shared, or sold through illegal forms, including stolen/taken prescriptions and street drugs. Street opioids like fentanyl, carfentanil, and newer synthetic opioids vary in their strength and quality. They may contain other substances or be added to another drug.

To view information on opioid-related deaths and naloxone distribution in Huron and Perth counties, visit the Huron Perth Opioid Monitoring page.

Huron Perth Opioid Monitoring

What is an opioid overdose?

An overdose happens when someone takes more of an opioid than their body can handle. You may be at higher risk of an opioid overdose if you:

Just started using opioids or started using opioids again after not taking them for a while
Are sick or feeling unwell while taking opioids
Use opioids alone
Use more than one substance at a time

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and allow time for medical help to arrive. Always call 911 if you suspect an opioid overdose.

Naloxone is not harmful and only works to reverse overdoses caused by opioid drugs, not other drugs. The illegal drug supply is toxic and unpredictable, and not all drug overdoses will respond when naloxone is given. In some cases, several doses of naloxone are needed to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore normal breathing.

Free naloxone kits

HPPH offers free naloxone kits and training to people who use drugs. Kits are also available to family members, friends, and other people able to help someone who may be at risk of an opioid overdose.

Find out where to get a free naloxone kit near you.

Opioid overdose

Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and allow time for medical help to arrive. HPPH offers free naloxone kits and training to people who use drugs. Kits are also available to family members, friends and other people able to help someone who may be at risk of an opioid overdose.

What to do during an overdose

If you see someone experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately and give them naloxone. Sometimes, more than one dose of naloxone may be needed.

People can overdose on substances other than opioids, or when opioids are mixed with other drugs such as veterinary tranquilizers. Naloxone is safe to use even when opioids are not present – it simply won’t have any effect.

An overdose may look different from one person to the next. Signs of an opioid overdose include:

Person is unconscious and cannot be woken up
Breathing is slow, shallow, or absent
You can hear snoring or gurgling
Skin feels cold or clammy
Pupils are small
Feelings of dizziness, confusion, or extreme tiredness
Lips and fingers are blue or purple

Learn more about recognizing and responding to an opioid overdose.

Reduce your risk of an opioid overdose

Carry naloxone - Naloxone is free and available at HPPH sites and at local pharmacies. Find out where to get a free naloxone kit near you.
Avoid using drugs alone - If using with a friend, do not use at the same time. If using drugs by yourself, call the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-6677.
Start low, go slow - Only use a small amount, wait and see how it feels.
Avoid mixing substances - Using more than one drug at a time increases your risk of overdose.
Connect to local supports and services
- CMHA Huron Perth Addiction and Mental Health Services | 519-271-6819 or toll-free 1-888-261-9350
- Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team | 1-888-829-7484

HPPH also provides harm reduction supplies to promote safer injection and inhalation of drugs. Learn more about the Harm Reduction Program.

Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act

Calling 911 during an overdose could save a life, but fear of police presence and other barriers may prevent some witnesses from doing so. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act aims to remove these barriers by providing some legal protection to those who seek help during an overdose emergency.

Learn more about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act.

Naloxone in the workplace

Since June 1, 2023, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires that naloxone be available in some workplaces in case a worker has an opioid overdose.

Find out more about naloxone in the workplace and if you are required to have a naloxone kit at your workplace.

Huron Perth Public Health

Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0

Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca