Overdose Prevention Tips

• Do not use alone.
  Isolation and using alone can increase drug poisoning harms.
  
  If a person is using alone, no one can check in on them or respond to a poisoning.
  
  Do not use alone. Try to use at an overdose prevention site, with a buddy, or using a virtual service.
  
  If using with a buddy, stagger your use to make sure someone can call for help.
• Start low, go slow.
  People can have a lower tolerance if they are new to using drugs or have taken a break from using (e.g. after detox, hospitalization, or incarceration) which makes them more sensitive to the effects of opioids.
  
  Test a small amount first. Start low and go slow.
• Be aware of your health & tolerance.
  Chronic health conditions, illness, and infection can change the body's tolerance to drugs.
  
  Try a smaller amount than usual if you're feeling unwell.
• Use drug checking services if possible.
  Using more than one type of depressant (like alcohol with benzodiazepines) can slow breathing faster than using one alone.
  
  Unregulated drugs are unpredictable and constantly changing so it is hard to always know what's in them or if they are being mixed.
  
  Unregulated drugs often contain dangerous amounts of opioids like fentanyl, or sedatives like xylazine. This increases the risk of drug poisoning and makes poisonings harder to respond to.
  
  Start low, go slow. Use drug checking services if you can.