Naloxone (or Narcan ©) is a safe medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone works by temporarily removing the opioid off of the brain’s opioid receptors. If you suspect someone is overdosing, and you are unsure of what they have taken, you will do no harm by administering naloxone.

Naloxone is a safe medication and it is easy to use. Anyone administering naloxone should have the training necessary to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and should know how to respond.

You can get free naloxone kits from participating pharmacies and community agencies across Algoma

All Algoma Public Health offices also distribute free naloxone kits to people at risk of overdose or their friends and families who may be in a position to help in an overdose situation. You do not need to show your health card.

Click here to use the locator map to see where you can get a naloxone kit in Ontario.

NaloxoneCare.com is an online learning portal to help individuals learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and how to give naloxone. You can get a free nasal naloxone kit once the training is completed.

Additional Resource:

• Naloxone North 
• Recognize, Reach & Reverse Program (St. John Ambulance)
• Carry Naloxone

The following organizations are eligible to register with the Ontario Naloxone Program through Algoma Public Health:

• Aboriginal health access centres
• AIDS service organizations
• Community health centres
• Outreach programs
• Withdrawal management programs
• Shelters
• Hospitals with emergency departments and urgent care centres
• St. John Ambulance branches
• Police services
• Fire services
• Other agencies as determined on a case-by-case basis through an expanded access program

To qualify, your agency must:

• Work directly with populations at risk of opioid overdose through harm reduction programming, outreach and/or social determinants of health;
• Reach a difficult to reach (priority) population not otherwise served where there is known opioid activity;
• Demonstrate staff capacity to manage naloxone distribution and training clients, inventory and reporting to Algoma Public Health as the Ontario Naloxone Program distribution lead.

If your agency is interested in applying or hearing more about the Naloxone Distribution Program, please fill out our Application Form, or email naloxone@algomapublichealth.com 

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects you, the person who is overdosing, and anyone at the scene from being charged with:

• Possession of controlled substances (example, drugs)
• Breaches in pre-trial release, probation orders, conditional sentences, or parole related to simple possession 

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act does not provide protection against charges for:

• Outstanding arrest warrants
• Making and selling of controlled substances (example, drugs)
• All other crimes not outlined within the Act

For more information, visit the Government of Canada website.