Safety & Harm Reduction · 9 of 25

Recognizing a stimulant emergency

Cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants can cause serious medical emergencies. Do not assume severe symptoms are only anxiety.

Call for urgent help

  • Chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, or collapse.
  • A seizure, severe overheating, or loss of consciousness.
  • Possible stroke signs, such as sudden weakness on one side or trouble speaking.
  • Severe confusion or distress that puts the person or others in danger.

While help is coming

Call 911 and describe what you see. If safe, reduce noise and crowding and help the person move away from heat. Speak calmly and give them space. Do not argue, restrain them, or give another substance to counteract the effects. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Remember mixed exposure

Naloxone does not reverse stimulant effects, but it can help if opioids are also involved. Give it if an opioid overdose is possible, especially with unresponsiveness or abnormal breathing. Emergency medical care is still needed.

If you are helping someone

Call 911 for severe symptoms. You do not need to identify the drug before asking for help.

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.

Free to share and print

Pass this guide to someone who wants to learn, or print a paper copy. Keep the instructions, source links and TRDP credit intact. Check the current page before reprinting.

Download this guide as plain text (.txt). To save a PDF, use “Print this guide” and choose your browser’s Save as PDF option.

Help make safety easier for everyone.

Was this resource useful? Honest feedback, including what didn’t work, helps TRDP improve. Safety information is always available whether you respond or skip.

Testing your own site?

This is a browser preference, not verified identity. New feedback sent here is marked as self-declared testing. It does not remove visits from native Sites Analytics or identify you on other devices.