overdose/poisoning prevention
Overdose Prevention Hotline
National Overdose Response Service (NORS)
Use with someone else and take turns spotting for each other. But if you must use alone, have a safety plan. Get someone to check on you. You can also call the National Overdose Prevention Line.
NORS is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians providing loving, confidential, nonjudgmental support for you, whenever and wherever you use drugs. Call NORS before you use drugs to connect with people who want to help you stay safe
Call (Canada only): 1 – 888-688-NORS(6677)
Call Never Use Alone (US only): 1−800−484−3731
Mobile App (Global): The Brave App
Take-Home Naloxone program
Learn more about our take-home Naloxone program.
If you use drugs:
If you witness or experience an overdose call 911 (or your local emergency number). The Good Samaritan Overdose Protection Act will protect those involved from drug possession charges or breach of probation/pre-trial release charges
- Get naloxone and overdose training before using – bring a friend
- Be aware that benzodiazepines don’t respond to naloxone
- Do not use drugs alone or behind a locked door. Have a designated responder: Stagger use with friends so someone can respond/call 911 if needed
- Use a less direct route when you take drugs. Injecting a drug is the most direct and dangerous route.
- If you mix drugs, reduce the amount of each drug you take and use opioids before benzos or alcohol. Use the most unpredictable drug first.
- Use one drug at a time, test your drugs every time by doing a smaller than usual test amount first
- Wait before taking another dose – some drugs take longer to take effect
- The amount of naloxone in a take-home kit may not be enough to reverse very powerful overdoses, such as those caused by fentanyl-like drugs.
- If you inject do not share any injection equipment (needles, cookers, filters, rinse). Sterile drug use supplies and take home naloxone kits are available free from many places.