Overdose safety in Windsor-Essex: what to do if someone may be overdosing
Overdose safety for Windsor-Essex: medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, is turning up in street opioids. Naloxone may not wake someone it sedates, but give it anyway. Call 911, give rescue breaths, stay with them. Never use alone: 1-888-688-6677.
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Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative that is not approved for people, is turning up in street opioids, including in Ontario. Health Canada told Windsor News on Oct. 23 that it is aware of and concerned about medetomidine in the illegal drug supply. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit says it is often mixed into the unregulated opioid supply. This page collects what official sources say people should do. It is safety information, not medical advice.
If someone may be overdosing
Call 911. Give naloxone if you have it. Give rescue breaths or chest compressions. Stay with the person until help arrives, and put them in the recovery position if they start breathing on their own.
Naloxone may not wake someone who is sedated by medetomidine. The Ontario Poison Centre says the sedation can persist after naloxone, but naloxone should still be given because it treats the opioid part of the poisoning. Health Canada says naloxone is safe to give to someone who has taken opioid and non-opioid drugs, and that you should always give it to someone who is overdosing. The person still needs emergency care.
If you use drugs
Never use alone. The National Overdose Response Service is a free, confidential hotline open 24 hours. Call or text 1-888-688-6677. Local partners also advise carrying naloxone and using drug test strips when available.
Where to get free naloxone
Participating pharmacies give free naloxone kits and training. You do not need a prescription or an Ontario health card. Not every pharmacy carries kits, so call ahead. Ontario keeps a map of participating pharmacies and community organizations.
Local agencies that give kits include Pozitive Pathways, 511 Pelissier St., Windsor, 519-973-0222. Community agencies may limit kits to people at risk of an overdose and their family and friends, so call first.
The law
The federal Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act gives some legal protection to people who call 911 for an overdose, including the person overdosing. It does not protect against more serious offences such as trafficking.
