What it is
Naloxone temporarily reverses an opioid overdose. It buys time for an ambulance to arrive. It does nothing at all if opioids are not involved, and it cannot be misused, so there is no downside to carrying one and no reason to be careful about who has it.
Ontario supplies kits through pharmacies at no cost, under the Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies. There is nothing to pay and nothing to claim.
You will not be asked why you want one. Wanting one is the only qualification, and “just in case” is the commonest reason of all.
Who should have one
- Anyone who uses opioids, prescribed or not
- Anyone who lives with, works with, or spends time around someone who does
- Anyone taking prescribed opioids for pain, and the people around them
- Anyone who works or lives in this neighbourhood and would rather be able to help
- Anyone who has ever been near an overdose and felt useless
Carrying naloxone is not a statement about you or about anyone you know. A great many people carry one for the same reason they know where a fire extinguisher is.
What we intend to do
Hand you a kit, show you how to use it in about two minutes, and replace it when it expires or when you use it. No appointment. No form beyond what the provincial program requires. No conversation you did not ask for.
If you would rather not talk at all, saying “a naloxone kit please” is enough and nothing further will be asked.
If you have used one
Come back and get another, and there is no version of that conversation where you are judged. If you want to talk about what happened, someone will listen; if you do not, you will simply be handed a replacement.
Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes. It is called the Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies, and it is what pays for the kit — worth knowing, because “free” from a pharmacy that has not opened yet is a thing you are right to want to check. Not discounted, not covered-if-you-qualify. Free.
Do I need a health card?
The program has its own requirements, which are minimal. If you do not have a card, ask anyway rather than assuming — and if we genuinely cannot supply one, we will tell you where you can.
Will this go on a record somewhere?
The provincial program requires basic records for kits supplied through it. It is not a prescription, it does not create a diagnosis, and it says nothing about you.
What do I do if I actually have to use it?
Call 911 first, then give the naloxone, then stay. Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects people who call for help at an overdose from simple drug possession charges. The kit comes with instructions, and we will walk you through it when you collect it.