Substance Use Health

Benzodiazepines 

Benzodiazepines are a family of drugs that function as a central nervous system depressant.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks, sleep disorders or seizure disorders.
When used as prescribed by a physician, benzodiazepines are safe; however, combining benzodiazepines with other depressant drugs can be dangerous. Powerful benzodiazepines such as Etizolam have been detected in the unregulated opioid drug supply and can complicate an opioid overdose response since naloxone will not reverse a benzodiazepine overdose.

Etizolam overdose can present with sign and symptoms like an opioid overdose and can include:

• central nervous system and respiratory depression,
• dizziness,
• sedation,
• slurred speech, and
• lethargy.

Visit our harm reduction webpage for strategies on how to stay safe when consuming substances.

Cocaine 

Cocaine is a stimulant drug that makes people feel energetic, talkative, alert, and euphoric. The white crystalline powder form of cocaine can be snorted or injected while the base form of cocaine (also know as crack) can be smoked and looks like crystals or rocks.

Cocaine on its own causes blood vessels to thicken and constrict which reduces the flow of oxygen to the heart, causes the heart to work harder which increase risk of heart attack, and raises blood pressure. Regular use may lead to the development of tolerance to the euphoric effects of cocaine, meaning a person may need to take more of the drug to get the same desired effect.

Cocaine can also be mixed with other drugs such as fentanyl. There is no way to tell by colour, taste or smell, if fentanyl is in cocaine. Always carry a naloxone kit (even if you don’t intend on consuming opioids), avoid using alone, and use new supplies when smoking or injecting cocaine. Visit our harm reduction webpage for more strategies.

For more information on cocaine, visit the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. 

 Crystal methamphetamine

Crystal methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that speeds up the body’s central nervous system and provides an intense sense of euphoria. The white, crystalline substance can come in powder or a crystal type of form that can be smoked, swallowed, snorted, or injected. Effects can last up to 12 hours.

In addition to an intense euphoria, methamphetamine use may cause racing of the heart, chest pain, dryness of mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, physical tension, irritability, paranoid delusions, hallucinations, aggressive behaviour and impulsive violence.

Crystal methamphetamine may also be mixed with fentanyl. Always carry a naloxone kit (even if you don’t intend on consuming opioids), avoid using alone, and use new supplies when smoking or injecting crystal methamphetamine. Visit our harm reduction webpage for more strategies.

For more information on methamphetamine, visit the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 

Opioids 

Opioids are a class of depressant drug that reduce experiences of pain. Common opioids include morphine, codeine, oxycodone (e.g., Percocet), hydromorphone (e.g., Dilaudid), heroin, and fentanyl.

Opioids can cause dangerously slow breathing that may lead to overdose and death. Certain opioids, such as fentanyl, are very powerful so even a small amount can cause overdose and death.

Opioid overdoses and fatalities have risen dramatically in the past six years in KFL&A due to the introduction of fentanyl into the unregulated drug supply. The unregulated drug supply contains unknown amounts of fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and other fillers that increase the risk of overdose and death.

An opioid overdose happens when there is more of the opioid in your body than it can handle. An opioid overdose is a medical emergency. Always call 9-1-1 and give naloxone if available. Signs of an opioid overdose include:

• tiny pupils,
• no or slow breathing,
• not responding,
• snoring,
• gurgling sounds,
• vomiting,
• cold or clammy skin, or
• blue or purplish lips or fingernails.

Visit our Harm Reduction page for more information on responding to an opioid overdose and how to use safely.