Overdose Awareness for Youth
A Resource Guide for Parents and Caregivers
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day—the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose and remember those we have lost without stigma. This year marks 25 years of the campaign. It is a day to acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind and to spread the message that drug overdose is preventable.
As parents and caregivers, you play a vital role in protecting the young people in your lives. This guide, based on information from the International Overdose Awareness Day campaign, is designed to help you understand what overdose is, recognize the risks, and know how to respond in an emergency.
What is an Overdose?
An overdose occurs when a person has more of a drug (or combination of drugs) in their body than their system can cope with. This can happen with any drug, including medication prescribed by a doctor. Overdoses can be both fatal and non-fatal. The terms "drug toxicity" or "drug poisoning" are also used to describe the harmful effects that can result from drug use.
The risk of overdose increases significantly when drugs are mixed together—a practice known as polydrug use—which can involve illicit drugs, prescription medication, and alcohol.
Key Risk Factors to Understand
Understanding the factors that can increase the risk of overdose is a crucial step in prevention. Here are some of the main ones described in the campaign materials:
Polydrug Use
Using more than one drug at a time or one after another is a major risk factor. The interactions between different substances can amplify their effects, mask the effects of others, or produce unpredictable and dangerous side effects. An example is the combination of stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine with synthetic opioids like fentanyl, a trend that has been identified as a "fourth wave" of the opioid crisis.
Unpredictable Drug Supply
A significant risk today is the contamination of the illegal drug supply. Drugs may be "adulterated" or "contaminated" with other, often much more potent, substances without the user's knowledge. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50-100 times more potent than morphine, is a major concern. It and its analogs are increasingly found in other drugs, greatly increasing the risk of a fatal overdose.
Use of Depressants
Depressants are drugs that slow down the body's vital functions, including breathing and heart rate. Opioids (heroin, prescription painkillers), benzodiazepines, and alcohol are all depressants. An overdose can suppress breathing and heart rate until they stop entirely.
Signs and Symptoms of an Overdose
It is critical to recognize the signs of an overdose, which can differ depending on the type of drug used.
Description: By Your Side is a comprehensive suite of resources co-created with Ontario parents, caregivers, and school mental health professionals to support mental health learning and well-being for every family.
For Depressants and Opioids, signs may include:
Unresponsiveness (cannot be woken up)
Slow, shallow, or no breathing
Snoring or gurgling sounds (a sign of airway obstruction)
Blue or grey lips and fingernails
Cold, clammy skin
For Stimulants (like cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA), signs may include:
Overheating
A cardiac event (chest pain, heart attack)
Seizures
Extreme paranoia, agitation, or confusion
How to Respond to an Overdose
An overdose is a medical emergency. Your quick response can save a life.
1. Call an Ambulance Immediately
Always call for emergency help if you suspect someone is having an overdose. Don't hesitate. Emergency services should be called even if the person is still awake but is experiencing severe symptoms like breathing difficulties, a seizure, or chest pain.
2. Never Ignore Snoring
If someone is unresponsive and snoring after using depressants, do not assume they are just sleeping. This can indicate a life-threatening airway obstruction. Try to wake them; if they do not wake up, call for help immediately.
3. Use Naloxone (Narcan®)
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, allowing the person to breathe again. Naloxone can be safely administered and cannot be misused to get high. Remember, naloxone's effects are temporary, and emergency medical help is still essential.
Overdose is Preventable
The core message of International Overdose Awareness Day is that all drug overdoses are preventable. Practical strategies exist that can reverse and prevent overdoses and reduce the harms associated with drug use.
Evidence-based strategies and initiatives include:
Naloxone distribution programs: Making this life-saving medication more available to those who may need it.
Safe consumption sites: Medically supervised facilities where people can use drugs in a safer environment.
Drug checking or testing services: Services that analyze drugs to identify potentially dangerous substances.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Treatment options for opioid use disorder.
Proper disposal of unused prescription medication: To keep drugs out of the hands of children and teens.
A Final Word for Parents and Caregivers
As a parent or caregiver, one of the most powerful actions you can take is to have open, honest conversations with children and youth. Starting the conversation early, talking about the real risks of drug use, and understanding the connection between mental health and substance use can make a significant difference. Lead these conversations with compassion and create a judgment-free zone where your child feels safe coming to you for support.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to remember, take action, and commit to a future without overdose. By educating ourselves and our youth, we can be part of the solution.
Overdose Fact Sheets
The following facts sheets from the IOAD website are available for download. Learn more about overdose signs and how to respond to different drug types.
RESOURCES
