Ottawa– Ottawa Public Health (OPH), in partnership with the Overdose Prevention Task Force, is reminding residents to stay safe while celebrating throughout the summer festival season.
While celebrating, some residents may choose to drink alcohol to excess and/or use drugs, which can lead to injuries, increased violence, potentially dangerous alcohol intoxication and overdose. In addition, there is an increased risk of alcohol and drug-facilitated sexual assaults at large events.
Overdoses are preventable. To avoid an overdose, do not use illegal substances or misuse legal drugs, such as taking prescription drugs without a medical prescription. “Street drugs” aren’t produced in sanitary labs and are often made up of a variety of chemicals, rarely known to the user or dealer. You don’t know what you are taking and it is likely different from what you may have taken in the past, increasing your risk of overdose or adverse reactions.
To lower your overdose risks:
- Do not use multiple substances at the same time, such as alcohol and drugs.
- Stay hydrated with water and take frequent rest breaks.
- Do not accept drinks (even water) from people you don’t know.
- Go with friends you trust and stay together. Keep an eye on each other.
- If you feel unsafe or unwell, seek help immediately from people you know or security staff.
- Before you go out, plan for a safe ride. If walking, be visible to drivers and follow the rules of the road.
Every year, Ottawa sees approximately 33 drug overdose deaths, and the number of emergency room visits related to accidental drug overdoses almost doubled from 2009 to 2015.
Call 9-1-1 if someone is showing signs of an overdose:
- Slow, shallow or labored breathing and/ or bluish lips
- Changes in their level of consciousness including confusion
- Inability to walk or loss of balance
- Personality changes or hallucinations
- Vomiting
- Seizures
The Overdose Prevention Task Force brings together local and regional stakeholders, including Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Paramedic Service, The Ottawa Hospital, The Montfort Hospital, The Royal Ottawa, the Office of the Regional Supervising Coroner for Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa-Carleton Pharmacist Association, to increase communication and collaboration to reduce overdoses related to alcohol and drug misuse in Ottawa.
For additional information, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca or call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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