Overdose Prevention Service

On June 24, 2019, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) began an Overdose Prevention Service (OPS) at Drumheller Institution in Alberta. On July 17, 2023, CSC began an Overdose Prevention Service (OPS) at Springhill Institution in Nova Scotia. The OPS is another harm reduction measure available to incarcerated individuals to manage their health needs.

Its objectives are to prevent fatal and non-fatal overdoses of incarcerated individuals who use substances in federal penitentiaries, prevent the sharing of non-sterile needles among incarcerated individuals, limit the transmission of blood-borne infectious diseases and facilitate referrals to other health care services and programs.

The OPS is consistent with the Canadian National Drug Strategy and Substances Strategy based on comprehensive and informed evidence, and is another component to CSC’s harm reduction measures.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.