Take Home Naloxone Program

Naloxone kits are available free of charge to anyone at risk of opioid poisoning, and those who may witness and/or respond to an opioid poisoning. Participants will be offered training on how to identify a poisoning and respond with a naloxone kit. Training can take less than 10 minutes.

If you are a distribution site, please click here to be taken to site login.

Click here to view the most recent drug alerts.

Where to get a kit?

To find a location near you please click the county you live in below to see a Google map with participating locations. You can also check out our Location Guide.

What is in a kit:

A fully assembled Intramuscular Naloxone Kit includes:

2 ampoules of Naloxone 0.4mg/ML (Sandoz)
2 VanishPoint Syringes
2 Ampoule Breakers
1 Pocket Breathing Mask
2 Non-latex Gloves
2 Alcohol Swabs
Pill Bottle
1 step-by-step THN instruction pamphlet
1 training card

A fully assembled Intranasal Naloxone Kit includes:

2 doses of intranasal spray
2 Non-latex gloves
1 Breathing barrier
How to respond instructions

*Intranasal naloxone kits only available at community distribution sites and not at pharmacies at this time.

Kit care tips:

Keep your kit on you at all times
Keep your kit at room temperature (between 15 and 30°C), NOT in a car
Check the expiration date (on the outside of the kit, the pill bottle and on each ampoule)
Routinely check that all supplies are in your naloxone kit
Tell everyone you have a kit
If you use your kit, or need a replacement visit one of our registered sites (above).

What is an opioid poisoning?

An opioid poisoning can occur for various reasons, such as changes in tolerance, mixing substances, or using alone. Signs of opioid poisoning include slow, shallow breathing or no breathing, discoloration of the lips or fingertips, deep snoring or gurgling sounds, cold/clammy skin, and unresponsiveness. An opioid poisoning can happen immediately or several hours after use. If you are using substances, reach out to someone—don’t use alone. Carry naloxone and let others know you have it.

If you are responding to a poisoning, please follow ‘5 steps to save a life’:

1. Assess for response

Speak loudly/shout their name
Shake at/pinch their shoulders

2. Call 911

Dial 911 immediately and stay with the person, put phone on speaker for support and instructions.

3. Give Naloxone

Give one dose of (1ml) injectable Naloxone on the side of the upper thigh OR upper arm muscle (similar to a flu shot/vaccine) OR give a dose of nasal spray (4mg) into the nostril.

4. Provide Rescue Breathing & CPR

Start rescue breathing and CPR as trained & instructed by the 911 operator. Use an AED if available.

5. Are they awake and breathing?

If they are not awake and breathing on their own give more naloxone every 2-3 minutes and continue rescue breathing and CPR.

*Stay with them until help arrives. And watch for signs of the poisoning returning.

Learn more about ...

Program Partners

The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) supports the professional and economic interests of its members to advance the practice of pharmacy and improve the health of Nova Scotians.

The Ally Centre is a harm-reduction based organization that provides prevention, support and education services to people living with or at risk of HIV, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The program believes everyone benefits from reducing the spread of Sexually Transmitted Blood Borne Infections (STBBIs) in the community of Sydney and surrounding areas.

Direction 180 is a community-based opioid assisted treatment program located in the North End of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This non-profit organization has been running since 2001 as a program of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center. Direction 180 receives funding from and works in partnership with the Nova Scotia Health Authority to promote and improve access to opioid assisted treatment within the Central Zone.

Direction 180 employs a low-threshold concept that can offer treatment regardless of whether a client discontinues the use opioids or other drugs. This program was designed and implemented based on a harm-reduction model.

Mainline, a program of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center, is a health promotion program dedicated to supporting people through harm reduction programs. Harm reduction treats drug use as a health concern rather than a criminal or moral issue. Mainline is committed to supporting people to focus on their health and well-being through: raising awareness, education and empowerment.

Northern Healthy Connections Society (NHCS) is a community-based, non-profit organization in Truro, Nova Scotia. NHCS began as a Resource Center for people living with HIV/AIDS.

NHCS provides a multitude of Harm Reduction services such as:

Needle Distribution and Disposal Fixed Site
Mobile Outreach
Community programs like the Photovoice Project, and a vast library of resources related to substance use, safer sex.
Diversity and 2SLGBTQIA+ support
Overdose prevention, and local treatment programs
Naloxone Training provided with free Naloxone Kit

Contact us

Questions about the Take Home Naloxone Program? Naloxone?

E-mail us: nsnaloxone@nshealth.ca

Please allow two business days for a reply.

Toll Free Number: 1-833-347-2142