Ottawa Public Health releases list of pharmacies carrying naloxone

Ottawa Public Health has published a list ofpharmacies across the city that carry naxolone, a potentially lifesaving opioid antidote.

Ottawa Public Health said people interestedin picking up a naloxone kit should first call their local pharmacy to confirm availability.

The list comes after the organization faced criticism it wasn't sharing that kind of information well enough.

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Naloxoneworks by temporarily reversing the effects of opioids, including heroin, morphine, fentanyl and codeine. While the drug usually starts working within minutes, several doses may be needed.

The City of Ottawa is urging people not use drugs alone and to call 911 immediately if someone is showing signs of an overdose.

Naloxonekits are nowalso available at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In response to a recent surge ofdrug overdoses among youth, agroup of Ottawa city councillors will be holding a public information session on Monday, Feb. 27at the Kanata Recreational Centre.