Qu’est-ce qu’une surdose?

• An overdose means a person has too much of a substance in their body
• When alcohol, cannabis, street drugs or prescription medicine are taken in toxic amounts, the body becomes overwhelmed
• An overdose can seriously harm someone, and can be deadly if they don't get medical help right away

If your tolerance is lower

• Maybe you’re using a new drug, or you took a break from using for a while.

If you're having health issues

• If you're tired, run down, dehydrated or have other health complications, like a long-term or chronic illness, you're at a higher risk to overdose.

If you mix drugs

• Even if it's prescription medicine, you risk an overdose if you combine drugs and alcohol

If the drugs are different or unknown

• Maybe you changed dealers or towns. What you're taking could be stronger than usual, or tainted

By accident

• An adult or child might accidentally take a drug

• An overdose from depressants is different than an overdose from stimulants. It can also be different from person to person
• Sometimes street drugs are tainted with deadly substances like fentanyl. Even small amounts can cause an overdose
• Overdose is possible whether substances are legal or illegal, mixed or alone

Depressants make you feel “down” or sleepy: alcohol, cannabis, opioids, “benzos”, “downers”.

• Confusion

• Drowsy, can’t wake up

• Slow breathing, hard to breathe

• Slow heartbeat •

• Cold or clammy skin

• Tiny pupils

• Seizures

• Vomiting

Stimulants make you feel excited or awake: cannabis, cocaine, speed, meth, MDMA/ectasy, “uppers”

• Extreme agitation or excitement

• Fast heartbeat

• Sweating

• Chest pain

• Feeling very warm

• Severe headaches

• Seizures

• In and out of consciousness

Your risk of overdose is higher if:

• you’re sick
• feeling unwell 
• f you have long-term or chronic health issues (like diabetes)

• Mixing alcohol, legal drugs, prescription medicine, and/or street drugs: combining any of these can be deadly
• If you’re mixing drugs with alcohol, it’s safer to take drugs before drinking

• Never use alone
• Start with a very small amount
• Go slow

Start with a small amount if:

• You haven’t used drugs for a while
• It’s a new drug, a new dealer, or a new batch - it might be stronger than usual

Choose a safer way

• Swallowed drugs are usually safer than snorting, smoking, inserting and injecting
• (Except for edible cannabis/marijuana which can be more dangerous)

• Ask a friend or family member to be there
• Know where to call for help in your community