Preventing Opioid Overdose Deaths

Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Northwestern Health Unit works with the Ontario Ministry of Health to prevent opioid overdoses in our communities by giving free naloxone training and kits to people at risk of an opioid overdose, as well as their friends, family, and supporters of people who use drugs.

Getting a Naloxone kit

You can get a Naloxone kit and training by contacting your local health unit. You can also get a naloxone kit from some community agencies and pharmacies. Use Ontario’s Where to get a free naloxone kit page to find where to get a naloxone kit across Ontario.

Using a Naloxone kit

To use a Naloxone kit, you can do the following:

Steps for using a Naloxone kit

To use a Naloxone kit, you can do the following:

1. Call 911.
2. Peel back the package to remove the device.  
3. Place: 
   1. The person on their back. 
   2. Thumb on the bottom of the plunger with 2 fingers on the nozzle. 
   3. The tip of the nozzle into the nostril until fingers touch the bottom of the person’s nose. 
4. Press the plunger firmly to release the dose into the patient’s nose. 
5. Begin chest compressions and/or rescue breathes as you are able. 
6. Repeat the dose if there is no response in 2 min or if the person becomes unconscious again. Alternate nostrils.

If you would like more information you can call your local health unit or visit one of our needle distribution sites.