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Education & Training

Overdose Response with Naloxone

Learn what an opioid overdose is, how to recognize an overdose, and how to respond using naloxone.

About Naloxone

Naloxone is a medication that temporarily counters the effects of opioid overdose. Naloxone only works if a person has opioids in their system.

In Ontario, naloxone kits are provided free-of-charge through three Ontario Ministry of Health programs:

  • Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP): Needle syringe/exchange programs, hepatitis C programs and participating community-based organizations distribute naloxone kits to clients, their friends and family.
  • Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies (ONPP): Participating Ontario pharmacies distribute naloxone kits.
  • Ministry of Community Safety and Correction Services - Take Home Naloxone Program: Individuals in provincial correctional facilities who are at risk of an opioid overdose and would like a kit are trained on how to use naloxone and are given kits when they are released from custody.
Icon of naloxone

About the Training Video

The video is a core component of the carrynaloxONe Toolkit, and was developed by the Ontario Harm Reduction Network with support from the Provincial System Support Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The carrynaloxONe Toolkit supported the expansion of the Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP). The ONP is mandated by the Harm Reduction Program Enhancement Initiative, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Through the ONP expansion, Public Health Units supported eligible community-based organizations distribute naloxone to clients.

This training video is an excellent overview of overdose response and naloxone, but OHRN cannot issue certificates for viewing this video. Please get in touch with your local Harm Reduction Program or Public Health Unit to find complete overdose prevention, recognition and response training.

Helpful Resources

Naloxone Resources

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