Glossary
Dope Sick/Withdrawals – The term “dope sick” is slang for opiate withdrawal symptoms. People typically experience such symptoms when they are detoxing. (ashleytreatment.org)
Enforcement/Policing – refers to resources to manage the effects of opioid use in the community and make the community safer for everyone
Fentanyl – Fentanyl is a powerful synethic opioid that is prescribed to treat severe pain, you cannot see, smell or taste it. Fentanyl is a dangerous drug because it is 20 to 40 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, which makes the risk of accidental overdose very high. Consuming as little as a few grains of salt worth of Fentanyl can kill you. (canada.ca)
Harm reduction – Harm reduction is an approach that meets people where they are at, in an attempt to reduce some of the harms associated with using drugs. Resources available in the community include: Naloxone (and Naloxone training), safer supplies, and resources for the safe disposal of drug paraphernalia.
Methadone – Methadone is a full mu-opioid receptor agonist, typically used as a replacement therapy for heroin or other opioid dependence. Methadone’s slow onset of action when taken orally and long eliminiation half-life (24-36 hours) allows it to be used as either a maintenance therapy or detoxification agent. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Naloxone – Naloxone is a fast-acting drug used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone can restore breathing within 2-5 minutes. (canada.ca)
Narcan – (Brand name of Naloxone)
Opioid – a broader term that includes opiates and refers to any substance, natural or synthetic, that binds to the brain’s opioid receptors (the parts of the brain responsible for controlling pain, reward and addictive behaviors). Examples of synthetic opioids include the prescription painkillers hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (OxyContin), as well as fentanyl and methadone. (centeronaddiction.org)
Opiate – is a drug naturally derived from the flowering opium poppy plant. Examples of opiates include heroin, morphine and codeine. (centeronaddiction.org)
Police and Crisis Team (PACT) – A crisis response team that is comprised of an RCMP officer and Registered Psychiatric Nurse able to intervene, assess, and support people having a mental health crisis in the community, services include: referrals to other community agencies, short-term follow-up, conveyance to hospital under Mental Health Act when criteria met. (albertahealthservices.ca)
Permanent Supportive Housing – cPermanent supportive housing offers people who have experienced homelessness support to achieve housing and personal stability. This type of program can end the experience of chronic homelessness for people who face barriers due to mental/physical health problems or addiction. Permanent supportive housing services include frequent in-home meetings, assistance navigating local services and employment assistance. (cityofgp.com)
Prevention – Prevention resources provide information on preventing substance use and/or decreasing substance use. Here you can find information on resources on available programs and resources in the community to support mental health, education around stigma, and information on addictions.
Stigma – Stigma is negative attitudes and beliefs about a group of people due to their circumstances in life. It includes discrimination, prejudice, judging, labeling, isolating and stereotyping. There are three types of stigma: social, structural and self. (canada.ca)
Social Stigma – negative attitudes, images, labels or ignoring people who use drugs or towards their friends and family members. (canada.ca)
Structural Stigma – Social stigma from people who offer services to the public such as first responders, health care professionals and government representatives. This type of stigma can be seen by ignoring people affected by substance use, or not taking their requests seriously, not connecting people with health or social services because of their substance use and designing health and social services in ways that enhance stigma.(canada.ca)
Self-Stigma – when someone internalizes social and structural stigma by taking the negative messages people see about people who use drugs and apply them to themselves.(canada.ca)
Supervised Consumption Site – health service facilities wherein a person can consume illicit substances, which they have pre-obtained, in a hygienic safe space. Sterile supplies are provided and trained professionals supervise all consumption. By providing SCS, healthcare providers are given an opportunity to connect individuals to various health and community services. (NorthreachSociety)
Suboxone – A combination medication made up of Buprenorphine/Naloxone. It is used to treat opioid use disorder by decreasing withdrawal symptoms. (wikipedia)