{"id":9230,"date":"2026-01-13T10:00:42","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T15:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crgm.ca\/?p=9230"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:16:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T15:16:59","slug":"rsop-a-new-service-is-launched-to-help-prevent-overdoses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crgm.ca\/en\/rsop-a-new-service-is-launched-to-help-prevent-overdoses\/","title":{"rendered":"RSOP : a new service is launched to help prevent overdoses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Montr\u00e9al, January 13th<\/sup> 2026<\/strong> \u2013 Drugs: Help and Referral<\/em><\/a> is launching a new remote service for overdose prevention, known as RSOP<\/strong>, now available throughout Qu\u00e9bec. RSOP offers a unique form of support to individuals who use substances alone and are at risk of overdose due to contamination or overuse. Most overdose-related deaths in Qu\u00e9bec involve people who are alone\u2014often at home\u2014when they use. With RSOP, individuals now have access to counselors via phone or video call, who can call emergency services if signs of overdose appear.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Purpose of RSOP<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2022, in response to the growing overdose crisis in Qu\u00e9bec, Drugs: Help and Referral<\/em> started thinking about of a unique province-wide, remote support service for people who use drugs alone, often at home. In 2024, RSOP secured funding through Health Canada\u2019s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP)<\/strong>, with funds administered in Qu\u00e9bec by the minist\u00e8re de la Sant\u00e9 et des Services Sociaux<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

RSOP was quietly launched as a pilot project on June 25, 2025,<\/strong> in collaboration with a few community partners. Even without public promotion, the service has already responded to over 200 calls. Early results show that RSOP is reaching people who do not access supervised consumption sites or who prefer to use in complete confidentiality.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The 5 Key Steps of the RSOP Service<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Connect with an RSOP counselor<\/strong> by calling Drugs: Help and Referral<\/em> at 1-800-265-2626 and choosing option 2. The service is free, confidential, bilingual, and available across Qu\u00e9bec seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Ideally, the call should be made just before using.<\/li>\n
  2. Explanation and Consent<\/strong> \u2013 A counselor explains the service rules. The caller provides a name or pseudonym, their location, and consents to having emergency services called in case of overdose. The counselor will ask about the caller\u2019s substance use patterns. RSOP is intended to those who use substances at risk of contamination or overdose, such as opioids (e.g., fentanyl, hydromorphone\/Dilaudid, heroin), stimulants (e.g., crack, cocaine), synthetic drugs, or diverted prescription medications.<\/li>\n
  3. Support During Use<\/strong> \u2013 The counselor must know what the caller is consuming to recognize potential signs of overdose, which vary based on the substance, method of use, and possible interactions. At any point, the responder may suggest harm reduction strategies, such as taking a pause between doses if the person is consuming more or faster than usual. The support is collaborative, non-judgmental, and focused entirely on the individual\u2019s safety. The counselor stays on the line throughout the process\u2014whether speaking or silent, based on the caller\u2019s preference.<\/li>\n
  4. Wellness Checks<\/strong> \u2013 The counselor regularly checks in to ensure the caller is feeling well. If the person becomes unresponsive or shows signs of overdose, emergency services are contacted. The counselor stays on the line until help arrives.<\/li>\n
  5. End of the Call<\/strong> \u2013 If everything goes well, the call ends safely. If the person wishes to talk about their substance use, they can be transferred to Drugs: Help and Referral<\/em> for additional support or referrals.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Drugs: Help and Referral<\/em> worked closely with an advisory committee, comprising AQPSUD, AIDQ, Profan 2.0, and GRIP. RSOP completed many foundational steps before launching the service: developing protocols, hiring and training staff with both academic and lived experience, and implementing the necessary technology. More information is available at rsop.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Quotes<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cThe launch of RSOP is a powerful example of how community-led innovation can save lives. This confidential service and remotely accessible will help prevent overdoses and ensure that people who use substances can access support across the province of Quebec\u2014whether in remote regions or in the heart of our cities. This is about meeting people where they are at with care, dignity, and hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Canada’s Minister of Health<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m extremely proud of the launch of RSOP and of how Drugs: Help and Referral<\/em> continues to innovate to better support people who use substances. RSOP offers a one-of-a-kind option in Qu\u00e9bec for individuals at risk of overdose, thanks to its remote accessibility, expertise in tele-intervention, and confidentiality. I thank Health Canada and the minist\u00e8re de la Sant\u00e9 et des Services Sociaux du Qu\u00e9bec <\/em>for their trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Nancy Rocha, Director of Drugs: Help and Referral<\/em> and the lead behind RSOP.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    SOURCE:<\/strong> Drugs: Help and Referral<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of Health Canada.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    About Drugs: Help and Referral<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Drugs: Help and Referral is a province-wide, free and confidential service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone and chat. It provides support, information, and referrals to individuals concerned about their use of alcohol, drugs, or medication, as well as to their loved ones. More than 23,000 people reach out to the service each year.<\/p>\n

    Since June 2025, Drugs: Help and Referral also offers a Remote Service for Overdose Prevention (RSOP). This service is intended for individuals who use substances alone and are concerned for their safety.<\/p>\n

    Founded in 1993, Drugs: Help and Referral is operated by the Information and Referral Center of Greater Montr\u00e9al and is fully funded by the minist\u00e8re de la Sant\u00e9 et des Services Sociaux.<\/p>\n

    For more information: drughelp.quebec<\/a><\/p>\n

    \u2013 30 \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Media relations\u00a0: <\/strong>Julie Gagnon Communications, 514 713-4381,\u00a0julie@juliegagnon.ca<\/p>\n

    Promotional material :<\/strong> communications@crgm.ca\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Montr\u00e9al, January 13th 2026 \u2013 Drugs: Help and Referral is launching a new remote service for overdose prevention, known as RSOP, now available throughout Qu\u00e9bec. RSOP offers a unique form of support to individuals who use substances alone and are at risk of overdose due to contamination or overuse. Most overdose-related deaths in Qu\u00e9bec involve
    Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":9241,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90,100],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-en","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nRSOP : a new service is launched to help prevent overdoses - Centre de R\u00e9f\u00e9rence du Grand Montr\u00e9al<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"RSOP offers a unique form of support to individuals who use substances alone and are at risk of overdose due to contamination or overuse.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/crgm.ca\/en\/rsop-a-new-service-is-launched-to-help-prevent-overdoses\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"RSOP : a new service is launched to help prevent overdoses\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"RSOP offers a unique form of support to individuals who use substances alone and are at risk of overdose due to contamination or overuse.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/crgm.ca\/en\/rsop-a-new-service-is-launched-to-help-prevent-overdoses\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Centre de R\u00e9f\u00e9rence du Grand Montr\u00e9al\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-13T15:00:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-13T15:16:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/crgm.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ADPS_CRGM.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lucie Kechichian\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lucie Kechichian\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/crgm.ca\/en\/rsop-a-new-service-is-launched-to-help-prevent-overdoses\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/crgm.ca\/en\/rsop-a-new-service-is-launched-to-help-prevent-overdoses\/\",\"name\":\"RSOP : a new service is launched to help prevent overdoses - 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