Did you know; people who have been to prison are 3.5x more likely to die of an overdose?
Your Life Matters
This booklet has some important information for after you get out. Help keep your friends, family, and yourself safe by preventing overdose.
There is a lot to take on during this time. If you’re getting overwhelmed, take a few breaths and come back to the moment.
Stay Safe & Stay Alive
If you’re planning on using street drugs, or even if sobriety is your goal, remember these tips like an emergency plan.
Carry a naloxone kit
Use where people can see you
Use a little first, then the rest
Use with a friend or get someone to check on you later
Get your drugs tested at an Overdose Prevention Site or with take home strips Remember: your tolerance will be down after release, so be extra careful!
People are at the highest risk for overdose within the first 2 weeks of getting out.
What is DECRIM?
BC has decriminalized possession of small amounts of illegal drugs for personal use until January 31, 2026. This was updated in May 2024
So, Can You Be Charged for Holding Small Amounts ofDrugs?
Legal: Holding up to a combined total of 2.5 g of opioids, cocaine, meth, and MDMA for personal use is allowed in private residences, designated addictions health care facilities, and overdose prevention and drug checking sites.
Illegal: Holding drugs in public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit, and in parks. Police are being told to use their discretion. This means police may seize illegal drugs that you hold in public, in any amount, and make an arrest.
O.A.T.
Opioid Agonist Treatment
Before you get released, ask for your OAT (Opioid Agonist Treatment) prescription.
If you don’t know what pharmacy you’ll be using, corrections might just give you a phone number. Keep track of this number so you can call to get your OAT when you know where to go:
Don’t know where to get your OAT prescription filled?
Google: “Opioid Agonist Treatment Clinics
Accepting New Patients BC” for a list of OAT clinics.
Call: Unlocking the Gates Service Society to talk to a peer support worker. Phone number on previous page.
Unlocking the Gates
harm reduction saves lives!
UNFOLD this booklet for a poster of the S.A.V.E.M.E.
SAVE ME Naloxone Protocol
If the person must be left unattended at any time, put them in the recovery position.
Follow these steps if you see someone having an overdose:
S
A
V
E
M
E
Stimulate
• Check for a response
• Speak to them
• Squeeze their fingertips or muscle between neck and shoulder
Airway
• Check for normal breathing
• Check for a pulse
• Remove anything in their mouth
Ventilate
• Lift chin and tilt head back
• Give 1 breath every 5 seconds
Evaluate
• Check breathing again
• Check responsiveness
• Check for a pulse
Medicate
• Give naloxone if they are not breathing normally
• Inject 1 ampule into arm or thigh muscle OR
• Give 1 intranasal spray in one nostril
Evaluate & Support
• Keep giving breaths
• Check breathing again
• Give another dose of naloxone:
• 3 minutes after last injection OR
• 3-5 minutes after last intranasal spray
