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Know How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose

Know How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose

The holiday season can be a time of celebration, but it’s also a time when the risks of opioid overdoses increase. During this time, the pressures of social gatherings, colder weather, and other stressors may heighten the temptation to use substances, and unintentional overdoses are a very real danger. It’s important to stay informed and take preventative steps to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

Did you know?

  • Opioid overdoses have increased during the winter months, especially around holidays, when people may use substances in unfamiliar or unsafe environments.
  • The presence of fentanyl and other potent opioids in the Yukon is an ongoing concern, often mixed with other substances, making overdoses more likely.

Recognizing an overdose:

  • Signs of opioid overdose include:
    • Unconsciousness or inability to wake up
    • Slow or irregular breathing
    • Bluish or purple lips and fingernails
    • Pinpoint pupils
    • Gurgling or choking sounds

What to do in case of an overdose:

  1. Call 911 immediately. Time is critical during an overdose.
  2. Administer Naloxone (Narcan). It can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Blood Ties Four Directions provides free Naloxone kits—reach out if you need one.
  3. Stay with the person and monitor their breathing until help arrives. Don’t leave them alone.

Harm Reduction Tips from Blood Ties Four Directions:

  • Never use alone. Always have someone with you who can help in case of an emergency.
  • Test small amounts first. If you use opioids, testing a small amount can help assess the potency, especially with fentanyl, which is extremely potent.
  • Carry Naloxone and know how to use it. Blood Ties Four Directions can provide free kits and training for all community members.
  • Don’t mix substances. Combining opioids with alcohol or other drugs can increase the risk of overdose.

Stay safe, stay informed, and reach out for support. Together, we can help protect one another from the dangers of opioid use.

For more information, please contact Blood Ties Four Directions at (867) 633-2437 or visit their website.

To Get a Naloxone Kit:

Dakwakada – Liquor Store, Mental Wellness and Substance Use, The Haines Junction Health Centre

Whitehorse – Any Pharmacy, MWSU, Blood Ties Four Directions, Whitehorse Emergency Shelter

Let’s take care of ourselves and our community this holiday season. 💙

#OpioidAwareness #OverdosePrevention #HarmReduction #Yukon #CAFN #BloodTiesFourDirections