Who’s Most at Risk for an Opioid Overdose?

The opioid crisis continues to claim lives across North America. With more people exposed to prescription opioids, street drugs laced with fentanyl, or accidental ingestion, it’s important to understand who is at highest risk of overdose — and how it can be prevented.

At nCase Technologies, we’re focused on making naloxone nasal spray (such as NARCAN®) more accessible through discreet and portable carrying cases like NALOX-1, because timely access can make the difference between life and death.

Let’s look at who faces the greatest risk.

1. Young Adults and Teenagers

Substance experimentation is common among teens and young adults, and unfortunately, opioids are often part of that mix. Whether accessed through prescriptions or encountered in illicit drugs laced with synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the risk at a young age is alarmingly high.

In 2021, nearly 30% of all opioid-related deaths in Canada occurred among people aged 20–29, according to data published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

Having an opioid overdose kit accessible in schools, dormitories, or youth gathering spaces can be critical in saving lives.

2. Older Adults and Seniors

Seniors are one of the most highly prescribed groups when it comes to opioids. They're often managing long-term pain, arthritis, or recovering from surgery. But age-related factors like slower metabolism, memory issues, or drug interactions can increase overdose risk — even if taken exactly as prescribed.

This is why caregivers and older adults should know how to use Narcan and consider keeping Narcan kits in easily accessible places.

3. Individuals Prescribed Opioids

Not everyone who overdoses has a history of drug misuse. Many are regular people managing pain after surgery, injury, or chronic illness. In 2021, nearly 1 in 8 Canadians received a prescription for opioids, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Accidental overdoses can happen when prescriptions are not taken correctly — or when mixing medications unknowingly. That’s why learning how to get Narcan is critical, even for people using medications legally.

4. People with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Those with opioid dependency are among the highest-risk groups. Relapse, inconsistent tolerance, and increased fentanyl exposure all contribute to rising deaths. Many overdoses occur when people use opioids alone — with no one nearby to respond.

This is where naloxone nasal spray, like NARCAN®, becomes essential. It's fast-acting, easy to use, and widely available in Narcan kits.

Learn more about nCase’s discreet naloxone carrying solution — designed to be portable, weatherproof, and life-saving.

5. Friends, Family, and Bystanders

Opioid overdoses often happen at home — in kitchens, bedrooms, or bathrooms — with family members or friends nearby who may not recognize the signs. If you live with someone who uses opioids (prescribed or otherwise), it's vital to understand the symptoms and how to respond.

Everyone should know how to get Narcan locally or online, and keep a Narcan kit close by, just in case.

6. Workplace Risk and Public Settings

Overdoses can happen anywhere — not just at home. Workplaces like warehouses, hotels, or public venues have seen rising overdose cases. Keeping Narcan kits available in first-aid stations can save lives before emergency help arrives.

If you’re a business owner or manager, consider adding opioid overdose kits to your safety plan. You can even make it discreet and portable using something like the nCase keychain carrying case.

Where Can You Get Narcan?

Many pharmacies across Canada and the U.S. offer Narcan nasal spray without a prescription. You can ask your local pharmacist how to get Narcan — in many regions, it's free or covered by public health programs.

You can also find government-supported distribution programs or harm-reduction centers that provide opioid overdose kits directly.

Stay Informed. Stay Prepared.

The reality is this: overdose doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone — your neighbor, your friend, a coworker, or even you.

By knowing who’s most at risk and learning how to respond, you become part of the solution. Consider carrying naloxone. Share this information. And don’t wait until it’s too late.

For a discreet way to keep naloxone with you, consider using a compact, weather-resistant case that makes life-saving medication easy to carry and access when it matters most.