Naloxone

Naloxone is a fast-acting medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid poisoning caused by opioid drugs and other drugs contaminated with opioids. Nasal spray naloxone is safe and easily given by a spray into the nose.

Opioids include morphine, codeine, oxycodone (e.g., Percocet), hydromorphone (e.g., Dilaudid), heroin, and fentanyl. Naloxone will not work for non-opioid drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), or alcohol. However, the illegal drug supply is unregulated and unpredictable. Many drugs in this area (including non-opioid drugs like cocaine) are being cut with powerful opioids like fentanyl.

Anyone who takes an illegal drug is at risk of opioid poisoning. Naloxone should be given any time an opioid overdose is suspected even if the person took a different drug.

Naloxone kit with instruction sheet, gloves, medicine

Who should get a naloxone kit?

It is recommended that anyone using any illegal drug or who takes prescription opioids have a naloxone kit. Friends and family members of people at risk should get kits and be trained on how to detect an opioid overdose and administer naloxone. Recognizing opioid poisoning signs, calling 911, and administering naloxone quickly can prevent injury and death.

Don’t use alone. Naloxone saves lives but someone has to be there to give it and call 911. Use with someone you trust or call the National Overdose Prevention Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-NORS(6677).

Always call 911:

Once the naloxone wears off, the poisoning could return.
The person may need more naloxone than you have.
The person may need followup care and support.
It may not be an opioid poisoning and the person may require different care.
The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection against simple drug possession related charges for anyone involved in an opioid poisoning when 911 is called.

How to use naloxone

This demonstration video was developed by the Ontario Harm Reduction Network (OHRN) with support from the Provincial System Support Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Learn more about overdose response with naloxone on the OHRN website.

How do I take care of my naloxone kit?

Make sure to store naloxone at room temperature and keep it out of direct sunlight.
Don’t leave it in your car or other places it may be exposed to extreme cold or heat.
Do not let naloxone freeze. It cannot be used when frozen. Nasal spray naloxone can be used after thawing for about 15 minutes at room temperature. If needed in an emergency, do not wait for it to thaw. Seek emergency help immediately.
Exchange your kit for a new one when it gets close to the expiry date.
Dispose of expired kits at a pharmacy.
Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Where can I get a naloxone kit?

Individuals

In Ontario, naloxone is widely available for free through the Ontario Naloxone Program and Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies. Eligibility incudes: people at risk of opioid poisoning, friends and family of people at risk, and others who may be able to respond other than in the line of work. Training is available and no health card is required. Take-home naloxone kits may be available through the following options:

Many pharmacies in the KFL&A area offer free naloxone and training.
Free nasal spray naloxone kits are available self-serve at reception at KFL&A Public Health offices in Kingston and Cloyne weekdays during regular office hours.
Eligible individuals can get free naloxone kits mailed to them after completing online training with NaloxoneCare.com
Many community organizations in the KFL&A area have enrolled as Ontario Naloxone Program sites. They can provide naloxone and training to their eligible clients. Sites include:
- AMHS-KFLA
- Detoxification Centre - Kingston Health Sciences Centre
- Home Base Housing (includes One Roof and Street Outreach)
- Kingston Harbour Light
- Kingston Interval house
- Kingston Youth Shelter
- Land O’Lakes Community Services
- Lennox & Addington Interval House
- Lionhearts
- Martha’s Table
- Napanee & Area Community Health Centre
- Providence Care Community Programs
- Resolve Counselling
- St. Vincent de Paul Society of Kingston
- Street Health Centre
- Trellis HIV & Community Care (includes Princess St. site, Integrated Care Hub and mobile unit)
- Youth Diversion

Workplace use

Naloxone for use in the line of work is not available via the community-based Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP) or the Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies (ONPP).

KFL&A Public Health may be able to support workplaces with naloxone training for staff and volunteers but is unable to provide naloxone kits for workplace use.

Businesses or other organizations may be able to access workplace naloxone through the following options:

Ask your local pharmacy or usual supplier of pharmaceutical supplies.
Order via the makers of Narcan directly.

For more information on naloxone in the workplace you can visit the government of Ontario website.

For fire and rescue, police services and St. John Ambulance

Police and fire services and St John Ambulance branches in Ontario are eligible to receive naloxone to use in response to suspected opioid poisonings. In Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington, these agencies can register to access free nasal spray naloxone. Contact KFL&A Public Health for more information.

Already enrolled? Contact KFL&A Public Health if you:

have questions relating to your naloxone order or report
need to provide information on changes that may impact delivery of naloxone to your site or staff contact updates
would like to arrange refresher training or training for new staff

For urgent after-hours naloxone requests contact KFL&A Public Health on call service at 613-549-1232

Naloxone distribution by community organizations

Through the Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP), eligible organizations in the KFL&A area can work with KFL&A Public Health to get free naloxone kits to offer to their eligible clients. Please note: KFL&A Public Health cannot provide naloxone for use in the workplace other than for ONP-enrolled fire and police services and St John Ambulance.

Eligibility requirements

Eligible organizations include AIDS service organizations, Community Health Centers, outreach organizations, shelters, and withdrawal management programs, and other organizations or programs that can help fill a gap in naloxone access. Organizations must:

Work directly with people who use drugs through harm reduction, outreach, or determinants of health programming and services.
Be able to safely store naloxone and have staffing and other capacity necessary to support naloxone distribution.
Enter into a service agreement with KFL&A Public Health.
Submit regular reports on number of naloxone kits distributed and people trained.
Provide kits and training only to eligible clients (clients who are at risk of opioid poisoning or a loved one of someone at risk).
Ensure staff involved in naloxone distribution have received training.

KFL&A Public Health staff will work with you through the enrollment process and support you to ensure a smooth integration of naloxone distribution into your organization’s day-to-day activities. Flexible options are available for staff training.

Contact KFL&A Public Health for more information.

Already a naloxone distribution site? Contact KFL&A Public Health if you:

have questions relating to your naloxone order or report
need to provide information on changes that may impact delivery of naloxone to your site or staff contact updates
would like to arrange refresher training or training for new staff