Opioid users given ‘life-saving’ overdose drug

Wednesday 21 July 2021

A drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, which was previously only given via prescription, is being made freely available in a move that has been heralded as likely to "save people's lives."

Islanders are now able to directly ask for Naloxone from the Needle Exchange and Harm Reduction Team at the Alcohol and Drug Service to carry and use in the case of opiate overdoses.

The team will also be introducing Naloxone to the homeless shelter, and other support organisations, in Jersey and will carry it when attending home visits in case an individual has been found to have overdosed.

Naloxone was previously only given as a prescription drug, and those who ask for it will now receive brief training on how to use it before the injection is issued.

“This new and significant initiative is a major step forward for Jersey,” Harm Reduction Worker, Leah Le Cornu, said. “Naloxone is a very effective way of reducing deaths by overdose. As a service, we have been pushing this to go through for a number of years.

“Now not only hospitals and paramedics will have Naloxone, but it can be in the household of every vulnerable person affected by opiate use. This will save people’s lives!”

Pictured: Maison Le Pape, where the Drug and Alcohol Service is based.

Alcohol and Drugs Service Lead, Simba Kashiri, added: “We are pleased to be in a position to offer Naloxone under a patient Group Directive. This means that we can make every opportunistic contact count with service users under our Opiate Pathways Treatment and those who are not in treatment yet but use our Needle Exchange and Harm reduction pathway.

“I would like to give special thanks to our colleagues in the hospital pharmacy and staff in the Alcohol and Drug service for getting us to this point. Carrying Naloxone could save someone’s life.”