Stay Safe This May Long-Weekend
Written by Comms Team, May 19, 2022

Peterborough Public Health Shares Safety Tips to Prevent Drug Poisonings

With the May long-weekend approaching, Peterborough Public Health is reminding community members about the importance of drug poisoning prevention, not using drugs alone, and carrying a naloxone kit.

If you or a loved one uses drugs, practicing harm reduction, planning ahead, and connecting to available supports can help you and your community stay healthy and as safe as possible. Whether you are currently experiencing a mental health or substance use concern, or are working towards recovery, connecting with a trusted friend or family member and reaching out to them regularly may be helpful.

Stay Safe This May Long-Weekend
When using drugs, please remember these prevention tips:

  • Do not use drugs alone.
  • If you using with a friend, do not use at the exact same time.
  • Have a plan – Ask someone to check on you or call the National Overdose Response Service 1-888-688-6677.
  • Carry a naloxone kit. Keep it visible and close by.
  • Avoid mixing drugs.
  • Test your drug by using a small amount first.
  • Call 911 immediately if someone starts to show signs of an overdose and/or cannot be resuscitated after naloxone is administered.
  • Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone who seeks medical help for themselves or for someone else who has overdosed, WILL NOT be charged for possessing or using drugs for personal use.

Community members are encouraged to know the signs of opioid poisoning and how to respond. An opioid poisoning may look like the following:

  • Skin is cold and clammy;
  • Fingernails or lips are blue or purple;
  • Body is very limp;
  • Cannot wake the person up;
  • Deep snoring or gurgling sounds;
  • Breathing is very slow, erratic or has stopped; and/or
  • Pupils are very small.

If you suspect an overdose, respond quickly by calling 911 right away. Give naloxone if available, and stay with the person until help arrives.

Where to Get Supplies Over the May Long-Weekend (May 20-23)

Naloxone and emergency overdose response

  • Peterborough County-City Paramedics
    • All paramedics carry naloxone for distribution. When attending a drug-related 911 call, paramedics can provide naloxone kits to the patient whether or not naloxone has already been administered.

Naloxone and other Harm Reduction Supplies

  • One Roof Community Centre
    • 99 Brock Street, Peterborough, ON
      705-874-1812
  • Participating Pharmacies
    • ontario.ca/naloxone

Drug Poisoning Prevention

  • National Overdose Response Service
    • 1-888-688-6677(NORS)
  • Krasman Centre – Warm Line & Peer Crisis Support Services

Crisis Response

  • Four County Crisis
    • If you are in crisis, please call 705-745-6484 or toll-free 1-866-995-9933. By phoning these numbers, you can access 24-hour, free, confidential crisis support.
  • Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough
    • Call 705-745-2273 for free, non-judgmental, and confidential crisis support available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Residents can anonymously report drug poisonings and other bad drug reactions using the ‘Drug Reporting Tool’. Any information shared through the tool supports Peterborough Public Health and community partners in responding to and preventing drug poisonings in the Peterborough area. The Drug Reporting Tool can be accessed by clicking here.

For more information, or to find out how to access naloxone, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and search for “Opioids” or click here.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391

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