Public Information
Ontario’s Narcotics Strategy
Resources
The information in this section has been gathered from external sources to provide information to Ontarians about prescription opioids. This includes information on how to use prescription opioids responsibly; dispose of them properly; and the dangers of using them when they are not prescribed by a health care professional for medical purposes.
Opioids are a family of drugs that have morphine-like effects that are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Examples of opioids include narcotic painkillers such as codeine, morphine and oxycodone.
The resources have been organized into the following sections:
Opioid Pain Medications [PDF]
This publication provides a general overview of prescription opioids, including side effects and safe use.
Health Canada
Opioid Pain Medications Frequently Asked Questions [PDF]
Frequently asked questions about prescription opioids.
Health Canada
Do You Know... Prescription Opioids
The pamphlet provides an overview, information and resources about prescription opioids.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
OxyContin – Straight talk
The pamphlet provides resources and an overview of the prescription opioid OxyContin.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Information on treatment and addiction services
Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART)
DART is a toll-free, province-wide, treatment information and referral service located in Ontario. It links members of the general public with treatment resources for themselves or someone they know.
1-800-565-8603
DEAL.org – For parents
DEAL.org is a web-based program designed for youth, by youth. DEAL.org is operated by the Youth Engagement Section of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and is part of the National Youth Services branch of the RCMP’s Crime Prevention Services. This section provides information for parents from a youth perspective to help them understand the issues youth are facing around substance abuse and how to talk about them.
Kids and Drugs: A parent’s guide to prevention [PDF]
This booklet provides many ideas for ways that parents can make a difference with their attitude, actions and words. Despite all the challenges out there, parents can raise healthy children, free from substance abuse.
Messages for Patients Taking Prescription Opioids
The National Pain Centre has created some key messages for patients on safely using opioids for chronic non-cancer pain.
McMaster University, National Pain Centre
What About Pain Medications?
An informational pamphlet on prescription pain medications, which includes prescription opioids.
The Canadian Pain Coalition
Canadian Pain Coalition
The Canadian Pain Coalition is a partnership of pain consumer groups, health professionals who care for people in pain, and scientists studying better ways of treating pain.
DEAL.org – Knowzone
DEAL.org is a web-based program created for youth, by youth. The Knowzone is an online library of fact sheets to help youth learn about drugs. This link is about narcotics (opioids).
TeensHealth – About prescription drug abuse (USA)
Information about kids and teens that's free of "doctor speak". KidsHealth has information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years. This is the link to information on prescription drug abuse.
Kidshealth.org
Busting the myths and misconceptions about prescription drug abuse (USA)
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (USA) created this website to educate youth ages 11 through 15 (as well as their parents and teachers) on the science behind drug abuse. The site delivers science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body so that youth will be armed with better information to make healthy decisions. Animated illustrations, quizzes, and games are used in this site to clarify concepts, test knowledge, and make learning fun.
National Institute on Drug Abuse – NIDA for Teens
Prescription Drug Facts (Rx) (USA)
This website and the campaign were created for the United States National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign (a program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy). This link contains information about prescription drugs, including opioids.
Above the Influence
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868
This is a number for children and youth to call if they need help or want to talk to someone. It is a toll-free, 24-hour anonymous phone counselling, referral and Internet service for children and youth. Every day, professional counsellors provide immediate, caring support to young people in urban and rural communities across the country. There is some general information about drugs on the website.
Do You Know... Prescription Opioids
The pamphlet provides an overview, information and resources about prescription opioids.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
OxyContin – Straight talk
The pamphlet provides resources and an overview of the prescription opioid OxyContin.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
DEAL.org – Knowzone
DEAL.org is a web-based program created for youth, by youth. The Knowzone is an online library of fact sheets to help youth learn about drugs. This link is about narcotics (also known as opioids).
Ontario Prescription Drug Abuse - Prevention and Intervention
This website is a resource for First Nations in Ontario about prescription drug use, including information on opioids specifically. It contains resources, articles and other community and culturally specific information.
Important Notices
The Resources section is intended to provide general information on prescription narcotics, and should be used for informational purposes only. The Resources section does not provide any medical diagnoses, symptom assessments or medical opinions for individual users.
For More Information
Call ServiceOntario, Infoline at 1-866-532-3161
In Toronto, 416-314-5518
TTY 1-800-387-5559
In Toronto, TTY 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
