Opioids can become addictive when used as a prescription or life-threatening when used as an illegal street drug. The NTHSSA continues to support initiatives to reduce the harms associated with opioid use.

The Opioid Maintenance Therapy Initiative was designed to help meet the needs of individuals who are struggling with Opioid Use Disorder. It is run out of the Yellowknife Primary Care Centre and is available for people who are using street based opioids such as fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone (percs, percocet), codeine or who are struggling to control their use of prescribed opioids. Individuals who use this service are provided options for treatment such as opioid replacement medications (methadone, suboxone), counselling and/or residential out-of-territory treatment.

Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and can be lifesaving. This medication is available as Take Home Naloxone kits at any territorial pharmacy and any community health centre or cabin. There are two types of Naloxone - one that is injected (injectable) and one that is sprayed into your nose (intranasal). Both are safe and work very quickly. Information on how to use the kits is available within each kit and/or through any nurse or pharmacist that dispenses them.