Safety & Harm Reduction · 5 of 25
Recognizing a possible opioid overdose
If someone will not wake up or is not breathing normally, treat it as an emergency. Call 911 immediately.
Signs to notice
- Very slow, irregular, weak, or absent breathing.
- Unable to wake or respond to your voice.
- Unusual gurgling, choking, or snoring when the person cannot be woken.
Act even if you are unsure
You do not need to know what the person took. Give naloxone if available and an opioid overdose is possible. Follow the kit instructions and emergency dispatcher’s directions. Stay until help arrives, if it is safe to do so.
Do not mistake danger for sleep
Someone who is hard to wake needs urgent help. Do not wait for every sign, and do not assume they can sleep it off. Tell the dispatcher whether the person responds and whether they are breathing normally.
If you are helping someone
Learn these signs even if you never use opioids. You may be the person who notices an emergency.
WARN (OTHERS)
After immediate care is covered, share dated advisories or observed concerns. Say what is confirmed and what is uncertain. Protect people’s privacy.
Emergency care comes first. Never share someone’s name, identifying photo or private health details.
Learn more
For everyone across Canada. General education; individual care needs medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911, keep yourself safe, and follow the dispatcher’s directions.
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