Naloxone in Nananimo

Take Home Naloxone Program

B.C. has a Take Home Naloxone program in place to reduce the harm and deaths associated with opioid overdoses. The program provides training in overdose pevention, recognition, and first aid response. 

Progam Eligibility

You are eligible for the Take Home Naloxone program if you:

• Have a hisory of using substances particularly heroin, cocaine crac cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine.

• Are likely to witness and respont to an overdose

• Are First Nation's and living in B.C. The First Nations Health Authority's First Nations Benefits plan will cover the cost of injectable and nasal spray form of naloxone.

If you are eligible, you can receieve a naloxone kit at no cost, as well as overdose prevention and response training, at any program site. Visit the Toward the Heart site locator or call 811 anytime day or night to find a site near you. 

Hands-On Practice

In British Columbia (BC), you can receive in-person skills training for responding to a drug poisoning at any Take Home Naloxone (THN) site.

• Find a THN Site: Toward the Heart Site Finder

• St. John Ambulance: provides opioid poisoning training alongside their CPR course.

• Some local Health Authorities and outreach teams offer group training. 

Accessing a Take Home Naloxone (THN) Kit

THN kits are avaible at no cost to:

• People who use substances from the unregulated drug supply

• Friends or neighbors of people who use substances

Find a THN site near you: Toward the Heart Site Finder

Accessing a Nasal Naloxone Kit

In BC anyone covered under the First Nations Health Benefits can access nasal naloxone directly from a pharmacy, at no cost, with a Status Number and Personal Health Number.

Some community organizations supply nasal spray to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People.

Nanaimo's Mobile Outreach Team distributes nasal naloxone and exchanges expired supplies. However, their focus population for nasal naloxone is those with dexterity issues, those who would otherwise not use naloxone (e.g. those with a fear of needles), and youth.