FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 24, 2020 1:30pm

(Ottawa) — Frontline officers responded to call for service about a woman in her 50’s who was overdosing on suspected Fentanyl on September 19th. They used Naloxone to successfully revive the woman.

On September 15th, Frontline Officers responded to a man in his 50’s who was unconscious. An officer used two doses of Naloxone and performed chest compressions. The man was successfully revived and placed in the care of paramedics.

“These are but two of the many incidents where our officers have successfully used Naloxone to save a life,” said Ottawa Police Platoon Inspector Trish Ferguson. “All officers are trained on how to administer and carry Naloxone, in the form of a nasal spray, with them.”

Ottawa Police Officers have used Naloxone successfully over 80 times so far this year.

“I appreciate the selfless and relentless work of our Communications Centre members along with our Frontline officers who respond to these calls,” said Chief Peter Sloly. “OPS officers are quickly arriving and applying Naloxone in situations when literally every second counts. Our members are regularly intervening in these mental health and addictions crisis calls, doing their best to save lives alongside our community partners including paramedics, fire fighters, healthcare professionals, not-for-profit workers and members of the public.”

Individuals who use drugs are reminded to:

Never use alone – If you overdose when you are alone, there will be no one there to help you. If you are using with someone else, don’t use at the same time.

– If you overdose when you are alone, there will be no one there to help you. If you are using with someone else, don’t use at the same time. Don’t mix drugs – Mixing with other drugs puts you at a higher risk of overdose;

Go slow – The quality of street drugs is unpredictable. Anything can be cut with Fentanyl or Carfentanil;

– The quality of street drugs is unpredictable. Anything can be cut with Fentanyl or Carfentanil; Know your tolerance - Your risk of overdose increases if you are a new user or haven’t used in more than three days

- Your risk of overdose increases if you are a new user or haven’t used in more than three days If you choose to use – Consider visiting one of the Supervised Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) locations in Ottawa.

If you have a friend or family member who uses drugs, you are encouraged to:

Know the signs of an overdose and call 911 - an overdose is always a medical emergency;

- an overdose is always a medical emergency; Carry Naloxone, it is a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose;

it is a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose; Call 911 immediately if you witness an overdose – Give Naloxone, perform chest compressions, and stay with them.

For more information on overdose prevention, please visit StopOverdoseOttawa.ca.

You can also consult the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act for details about legal protection for people who experience or witness an overdose and call 911 or their local emergency number for help.

- 30 -

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366