The illicit drug landscape is changing rapidly—here in the Northwest Territories and around the world. During initial surge response to opioid overdoses in the NWT, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer engaged with many community and Indigenous leaders regarding the information needed to support community response. One gap identified was general knowledge around the newer types of drugs that are entering the NWT.

In response, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has launched the Drugs in the NWT web page, a new suite of online resources designed to inform, educate, and support residents around substance use.

Whether you're curious about how benzodiazepines affect the body, the street names for methamphetamine, what fentanyl looks like, or why it is often used to spike other substances such as MDMA or cocaine, Drugs in the NWT offers clear, reliable answers.

Resources include:

• Fact sheets on individual substances found in the NWT’s illicit drug supply, from alcohol and cannabis to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
• Safer partying tips to help reduce harm in social and recreational settings.
• Information on accessing Naloxone kits, what they do and how to use them.
• Links to support services, both territorial and federal, for people navigating addiction.

These resources are here to help you, your family, and your community stay safe and informed.

For media requests, please contact:

Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
Andrew_Wind@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034