The Cobourg Police would like to remind the public of the dangers of illicit drug use, including the use of drugs containing Fentanyl and Carfentanil and the potential for overdose and death. We also remind the public of the importance of calling emergency services if you or someone else is suffering from a suspected overdose.
The Government of Canada recently passed the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, on May 4, 2017, to raise awareness about the importance of calling emergency services in case of an overdose, no matter whether you are experiencing or witnessing an overdose.
The Act is designed to help reduce fears, and encourage people to call for help. This also allows the protection, of persons who call 911, from being charged with offences such as possession of a controlled substance (i.e. drugs) or minor breaches of probation orders, conditional sentences or parole. We want you to call 911, so we can protect the community, regardless of whether you stay at, or leave, an overdose scene.
(for a summary of the Act and its importance, please see the following link… http://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-abuse/prescription-drug-abuse/opioids/about-good-samaritan-drug-overdose-act.html )
Naloxone kits are offered free to opioid users, a family member, friend or other person able to help someone at risk of an opioid overdose, a client of a needle syringe program or hepatitis C program or people newly released from a correctional facility