Opioids | Harm Reduction
Opioids are psychoactive substances that block incoming pain signals in the central nervous system, therefore reducing the intensity of feelings of pain. They include Oxycodone (oxys), Hydrocodone (hydros), Codeine, fentanyl, and others.
Using too much of an opioid or using a strong opioid that you have low tolerance for can be very dangerous, as opioids suppress a person’s ability to breathe. In the event of overdose, opioids completely stop a person’s breathing, which is often fatal if there is nobody around to help them.
Drug Profile
Name: Opioids
Aliases (other names):
Narcotics
Type of Drug:
Hallucinogen, Cannabinoid
Legalized in Canada?: YES
Addictive?: YES
Continued, frequent, and heavy cannabis use can cause physical dependence and addiction.
Effects of mixed drug Use
Naloxone and Narcan: Lifesaving Medication
The effects of an opioid overdose can be temporarily reversed with the use of Naloxone or Narcan, a life-saving medication in the event of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is applied through injection or, in some naloxone kits, through a nasal spray which is applied in the person’s nose.
In Nova Scotia, anyone can get a Naloxone kit for free without any ID or specific training by asking a pharmacist for one. The pharmacist will briefly show you how to use it, and each kit comes with a set of instructions for later use. To find a location to pick up a Naloxone kit, see this map for Nova Scotia’s Take Home Naloxone Program. To learn more about Nova Scotia’s Naloxone program, take a look at the program’s homepage here.
You can also access Naloxone kits on the Dalhousie Campus at the Student Health & Wellness Centre, or through Dalhousie’s Naloxone Training program. Visit this page to learn more about Dalhousie’s Naloxone Program.