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Overdose is preventable: know the signs
Aug 21, 2020
CMHA Ontario joins individuals and organizations worldwide in recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day (IAOD) on August 31. IAOD aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.
Raising awareness about preventing overdose is important now more than ever. In Ontario, it’s estimated that an opioid-related overdose death occurs every 10 hours. In response, the province has made naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse an opioid overdose, available free of charge at pharmacies and other organizations across Ontario.
For more information on participating pharmacies and organizations that distribute naloxone free of charge, visit this page on the Ontario website.
You can help by understanding the signs of an overdose, which is a toxic amount of one or more substances that stop the body from working properly.
Signs of opioid overdose include:
- Person is not moving or responsive
- Slow, shallow breathing or no breathing
- Slow heartbeat
- Person may be choking, or making gurgling sounds
- Cold, clammy skin
- Trouble walking or talking
- Tiny pupils
CMHA Cochrane-Timiskaming offers outpatient addiction services through its’ Temiskaming Shores and Kirkland Lake sites. This service includes individualized assessment and treatment planning as well as referrals to other programs and services. CMHA Cochrane-Timiskaming also offers the Concurrent Disorder Program at all of its’ sites for individuals living with mental illness and addictions. Visit our services page for more details.