naloxone
If you have a Manitoba take-home naloxone kit, please check your expiry date! Return to a distribution site to replace your expired kit. If you are in an overdose situation where you only have expired naloxone — you can use the expired naloxone as it might still work and it won’t be harmful.
Overdose and Opioid Poisoning: Opioid Overdose and poisoning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in Manitoba, and the source of significant loss and trauma for many in the community. Opioid drugs are dangerous because they can slow down or stop a person’s breathing, leading to death.
Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses overdose caused by opioids. It does not work on overdose caused by other drugs. Manitoba’s take-home-naloxone program is designed to serve people who are at risk of opioid overdose and poisoning, and their family and friends.
Be aware that much of current drug supply may have substances such as benzodiazepine or tranquilizers. These substances do not respond to naloxone. They can complicate or delay an opioid overdose response.
For more information visit the Manitoba Take-Home Naloxone Distribution Program webpage.
How does the Take-Home-Naloxone program work?
Anyone who is at risk of opioid overdose or poisoning, and/or their family and friends, may drop in to the Street Connections office at 496 Hargrave Street (Main Floor) Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm, and ask about the naloxone program. No appointment is necessary.
The nurse or outreach worker will take a brief history, train the person to recognize and respond to overdose – including how to give someone naloxone, and the person will be given a take-home naloxone kit. The whole visit should take less than 1 hour and the take-home naloxone kit is free.
Street Connections clients, while getting harm reduction supplies, can ask the Street Connections van staff about getting a naloxone kit.
Can I get naloxone anywhere else?
Those not eligible for a free take-home naloxone kit, may consider purchasing one. Naloxone kits are available for purchase at several other locations around Winnipeg and Manitoba. See a list of pharmacies that sell naloxone kits.
Individuals who have health coverage under First Nations Inuit Health are eligible for free naloxone kits from locations that are selling them. Consult the pharmacy for more information.
The Street Connections website interactive map shows places where take-home-naloxone kits are free for people at risk of opioid overdose.
A full list of naloxone distribution sites in the province can be found in the Manitoba Take-Home Naloxone Distribution Sites Finder.
Online Overdose and Naloxone Training
- Toward the Heart Take Home Naloxone Training
- Alberta Health Services Community Based Naloxone Program Training
Videos
Naloxone Saves Lives (13 min)
Naloxone Wakes You Up (7 min)
How to use Naloxone (Narcan) (4 min)