Overdose and Naloxone Awareness Course 2026
This course is for security guards and other front-line workers in Canada who may find a person having an opioid overdose. It covers the signs of overdose, how naloxone works, giving care until help arrives, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act and staying safe. It is study material, not medical advice, and does not replace hands-on naloxone or first aid training.
En bref
Ce cours gratuit comprend environ 30 minutes de leçons et un test de 25 questions. Obtenez 80 % ou plus pour télécharger une attestation de réussite (privée, non accréditée). Vérifié à partir des sources officielles le 11 octobre 2026.
Ce que vous allez apprendre
- Recognize the signs of an opioid overdose
- Explain what naloxone does and how long it lasts
- Respond in the right order: call 9-1-1, give naloxone, give care and stay
- Describe the protections in the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act
- Protect yourself from exposure and hand over clearly to paramedics
Obtenez 80 % ou plus pour télécharger votre certificat.
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Question 1 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Very small (pinpoint) pupils
Health Canada lists very small, pinpoint pupils as a sign of opioid overdose.
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Question 2 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Slow, weak or no breathing, or gurgling and snoring sounds
Opioids slow down breathing. Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds and slow or no breathing are warning signs.
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Question 3 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: B. Blue, purple or grey
Lack of oxygen can make lips and nails turn blue, purple or grey.
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Question 4 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. It temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose
Naloxone pushes opioids off the brain's receptors for a short time, which can restore breathing.
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Question 5 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Opioids, such as fentanyl, heroin, morphine and codeine
Naloxone only works when opioids are in the body. It still helps when opioids are mixed with other drugs.
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Question 6 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: B. Opioids may outlast it, so breathing can stop again
Health Canada warns naloxone can wear off before the opioids do, so the overdose can come back.
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Question 7 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Give another dose
Health Canada says more doses can be given safely if there is no response within 2 to 3 minutes.
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Question 8 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Yes, give it even if you are in doubt
Health Canada says to give naloxone even if you are in doubt. An overdose is always an emergency.
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Question 9 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. It has no effect and causes no harm
Naloxone is safe and has no effect on a person who has not taken opioids.
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Question 10 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Know the signs, call 9-1-1, give naloxone, stay until help arrives
Health Canada's steps are: know the signs, call 9-1-1, give naloxone and stay until help arrives.
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Question 11 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Simple drug possession
The Act protects against simple possession charges, and breaches of conditions tied to simple possession.
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Question 12 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Outstanding arrest warrants
The Act does not protect against outstanding warrants, trafficking or production, or other crimes.
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Question 13 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: B. Callers, the person overdosing and others at the scene
The Act covers anyone who seeks emergency help during an overdose, including the person overdosing, whether they stay or leave before help arrives.
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Question 14 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: B. 2017
The Act became law on May 4, 2017.
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Question 15 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Rub your knuckles hard on the middle of their chest
The insert says to speak loudly and rub your fist hard on the middle of the chest. If there is no response, call 9-1-1.
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Question 16 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. In the recovery position, on their side
The recovery position keeps the airway open and lets fluids drain if they vomit.
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Question 17 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. One breath every 5 seconds
The insert says to give one breath every 5 seconds, about 24 breaths over 2 minutes.
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Question 18 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Call 9-1-1, start CPR, and give naloxone too
Lay rescuers may give naloxone for a suspected opioid overdose as long as it does not interfere with high-quality CPR.
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Question 19 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Two doses of 4 mg
Ontario lists a nasal spray kit as two 4 mg/0.1 ml doses, a rescue breathing barrier and non-latex gloves.
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Question 20 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. When one of its own workers may overdose at work
Since June 1, 2023, Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act requires a kit when the overdose risk comes from the employer's own workers.
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Question 21 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: B. They may be in withdrawal and feel sick or upset
Ontario notes that people in withdrawal may react with aggressive behaviour. Stay calm, explain what happened and that help is coming.
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Question 22 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. Into a thigh or upper arm muscle
Alberta's insert says to inject into the thigh (preferred) or shoulder, and that it can be given through clothing.
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Question 23 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Wash with soap and water
CCOHS advises soap and water. Alcohol sanitizer may increase absorption through the skin, and bleach should not be used on skin.
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Question 24 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Gloves and the breathing barrier
Naloxone kits include gloves and a one-way rescue breathing barrier to protect you while you help.
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Question 25 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. How many naloxone doses you gave and at what times
Doses and times help paramedics decide on further treatment. Also tell them what you saw and any changes in breathing.
Clavier : 1–4 pour répondre, Entrée pour la question suivante.
À savoir avant l’examen
- Signs of opioid overdose include pinpoint pupils, blue, purple or grey lips or nails, and slow, weak or no breathing.
- Naloxone is active for about 30 to 120 minutes. Opioids can outlast it, so the overdose can return.
- If there is no response 2 to 3 minutes after a dose of naloxone, more doses can be given safely.
- The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (2017) protects people who call for help from simple drug possession charges, but not from warrants or trafficking charges.
- Since June 1, 2023, Ontario employers must have a naloxone kit when there is a risk one of their own workers may overdose at work.
Questions fréquentes
Can a security guard give naloxone?
Health Canada encourages anyone to give naloxone during a suspected opioid overdose. Take hands-on training, and follow your employer's procedures and any rules in your province.
Where can I get a naloxone kit?
Many provinces and territories offer free take-home kits, and most pharmacies carry them without a prescription. Health Canada lists provincial programs on its naloxone page.
Can I overdose by touching fentanyl?
Follow CCOHS precautions: do not touch suspected drugs, wear gloves, and wash any skin contact with soap and water. Do not let fear stop you from helping a person who is not breathing.
Do I need to call 9-1-1 if the person wakes up?
Yes. Naloxone can wear off before the opioids do, and the person still needs medical care.
L’attestation est-elle accréditée ou reconnue officiellement ?
Non. C’est une attestation de réussite privée, uniquement pour vos connaissances. Elle n’est reconnue, accréditée ni approuvée par aucun gouvernement, organisme de délivrance des permis, autorité de réglementation ou établissement d’enseignement, et elle ne remplace aucun permis, aucune certification ni aucune formation exigés par la loi.
Sources
- Opioid overdose (Health Canada)
- Naloxone (Health Canada)
- About the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (Health Canada)
- How to respond to an opioid poisoning (Alberta Health Services)
- Naloxone in the workplace (Ontario)
- 2025 CPR guidelines highlights (Heart & Stroke)
- Opioids including fentanyl: precautions for first responders (CCOHS)