Opioids
Opioids are medications that relieve pain. When used properly, they can help. But problematic use can cause dependence, overdose and death.
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Services and information
About opioids
Opioids, short- and long-term effects, problematic opioid use, substance use disorder, overdose.
Opioid overdose
Opioid overdose risks and signs, and how to respond to an overdose situation.
Naloxone
How to use naloxone to treat an opioid overdose and where to obtain a naloxone kit.
Stigma
Stereotyping, prejudice, judging, social stigma, internalizing, ending stigma, barriers.
Responding to Canada’s opioid crisis
Federal action on opioids, harm reduction, prevention, treatment, enforcement, public health emergency response.
Opioids data, surveillance and research
Data, surveillance and research to help inform the government about opioid drug use and impacts.
About the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act
About the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act
Fentanyl
Learn about fentanyl, why it can be dangerous, and what to do in the case of an overdose.
Talking to your health care provider about opioids
About opioid medications, their risks, and topics to discuss with your health care provider.
Know More: Opioid public awareness
Initiative aimed to engage teens and young adults on the facts about opioids.
What we are doing
Government actions
- The Daily: Drug overdose crisis: Socioeconomic characteristics of those dying of illicit drug overdoses in British Columbia, 2011 to 2016
- The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan improve access to treatment for people with substance use disorders
- The governments of Canada and British Columbia are providing more than $71.7 million in innovative treatment options for people with substance use disorders
- Strengthening Canada's approach to substance use issues
- Opioid Symposium-taking stock and moving forward
Publications
- National report: Apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada (released September 2018)
- National report: Apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada (released June 2018)
- Pan-Canadian Trends in the Prescribing of Opioids and Benzodiazepines, 2012-2017
- Assessment of the Impact of the Ontario Fentanyl Patch-for-Patch Return Program
- National report: Apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada (released March 2018)
Videos
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