You can't save yourself during an OD, but we can save each other. Please don't use drugs while alone, and don’t let those around you use while alone either. Only use while in the company of others.

Get Naloxone

You can't save yourself during an OD, but we can save each other. Please don't use drugs while alone, and don’t let those around you use while alone either. Only use while in the company of others.

Get Naloxone

The Opioid Crisis is more widespread in Alberta than many people think. It’s worked its way into our cities, towns, suburbs and homes. Nobody is immune to the Opioid Crisis. Right now, there could be people in your life who are struggling with opioids. But there is hope. There are things we can all do to make sure those at risk of an overdose are safer.

If you’re using drugs, or are with someone who is using, these are the signs and symptoms to watch out for. If they happen, don’t leave things to chance, call 911 immediately.

Canada’s new Good Samaritan law can protect you.

Learn more at canada.ca/opioids

Signs & Symptoms of an Overdose

Slow or no breathing
Unresponsive to voice or pain (can't wake them up)
Pale face
Blue lips or nails
Gurgling or snoring sounds
Choking or vomiting
Cold and damp skin
Narrow (tiny) pupils
Stiff body or seizure-like movement

What to do if you Spot an Overdose

call 911 (Canada’s Good Samaritan law protects those saving the life of someone who overdoses)
for step by step instructions on what to do in the event you suspect someone is overdosing, watch Ask a Paramedic
if you have a naloxone kit follow the SAVE ME steps and instructions below

If you’re using drugs, or are with someone who is using, these are the signs and symptoms to watch out for. If they happen, don’t leave things to chance, call 911 immediately.

Canada’s new Good Samaritan law can protect you.

Learn more at canada.ca/opioids

Signs & Symptoms of an Overdose

breathing is slow or not breathing at all
nails and/or lips are blue
choking or throwing up
making gurgling sounds
skin is cold and clammy
can’t wake them up

What to do if you Spot an Overdose

call 911 (Canada’s Good Samaritan law protects those saving the life of someone who overdoses)
for step by step instructions on what to do in the event you suspect someone is overdosing, watch Ask a Paramedic
if you have a naloxone kit follow the SAVE ME steps and instructions below

6 STEPS TO SAVE A LIFE

How to respond
to opioid poisoning
with a naloxone kit

STEP

1

Look for signs of opioid poisoning

Slow or no breathing
Unresponsive to voice or pain (can't wake them up)
Pale face
Blue lips or nails
Gurgling or snoring sounds

Choking or vomiting
Cold and damp skin
Narrow (tiny) pupils
Stiff body or seizure-like movement

If you see any of these signs, go to Step 2 and call 911 immediately.

STEP

2

Check for response

Speak loudly
Rub fist hard on middle of chest

If no response, call 911 and go to Step 3

STEP

3

Are they breathing?

See if chest
is rising and falling

See if chest
is rising and falling

Start rescue breathing

Tilt head back
Lift chin

Put in recovery position

Roll onto side. Hand supports head.
Wait for help to arrive

Rescue breathing

Read placement and use instructions on mask
Put mask on mouth

Pinch nostrils
Blow into mouth every 5 seconds for 2 minutes (about 24 breaths)
If still not breathing, go to Step 4

Put in recovery position

Roll onto side. Hand supports head.
Wait for help to arrive

STEP

4

Prepare naloxone

Take cap off vial

Naloxone is safe to inject and will have no effect on someone who has not taken opioids.

Hold bottle upside down
Insert needle into liquid, to the neck of the vial

Pull back on plunger
Take up all of the liquid (about 1 ml) until vial is empty
Gently push out any excess air (small air bubbles are fine) then remove vial from needle

STEP

5

Inject naloxone

Inject needle into thigh (preferred) or shoulder
Push the plunger hard until you hear a click

Safety needle will be pulled into syringe when plunger is fully depressed. Naloxone can be injected through clothing.

STEP

6

Repeat

Continue Rescue Breathing
Repeat steps 3 to 5 until help arrives
If they wake up, remain calm and explain that help is on the way

When someone is overdosing from opioids, naloxone—which is free of charge—can be a temporary antidote and reverse an overdose. There is no shame in requesting a kit. You can save a life.

Learn how to get naloxone

Who can get naloxone

If you use, or know someone who does, or may be around street drugs, you can get a naloxone kit.

How to get naloxone

Naloxone saves lives. You do not need to present a health card, ID, or prescription.

See Get Naloxone

For training and setting up a naloxone program visit the Community Based Naloxone Program.

When someone is overdosing from opioids, naloxone—which is free of charge—can be a temporary antidote and reverse an overdose. There is no shame in requesting a kit. You can save a life.

Learn how to get naloxone

Who can get naloxone

If you use, or know someone who does, or may be around street drugs, you can get a naloxone kit.

How to get naloxone

Naloxone saves lives. You do not need to present a health card, ID, or prescription.

Get Naloxone

For training and setting up a naloxone program visit the Community Based Naloxone Program.

Treatment for opioid dependence

Treatment options, information and resources on opioids are also available to patients, family, community agencies and health care professionals through an AHS Opioid Dependency Program as well as other Opioid Agonist Treatment Clinics in Alberta.

Support is only a call away

If you need help or are concerned with someone else’s substance use, call:

Health Link at 811 or
1-866-332-2322 the Addiction Helpline (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

Digital Overdose Response System (DORS)

The Digital Overdose Response System (DORS) is a free, discrete mobile app that can help prevent overdose deaths among people using opioids and other substances while alone. The DORS app can be downloaded from any smart phone’s app store, or through the links available on DORSApp.ca.