DrugScope: NTA Naloxone Pilot Scheme Can Help Reduce Drug-related Deaths, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 25 Jun 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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DrugScope has today welcomed the National Treatment Agency's announcement of a pilot scheme that will see families and carers of opiate users trained in drug overdose management and the administration of naloxone, a drug which reverses the effects of a drug overdose [1].

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist which blocks the effects of opiates, such as heroin or methadone. When administered to somebody who has overdosed on opiates, the overdose is reversed for long enough for medical assistance to arrive. Naloxone can be administered by injection straight into muscle tissue (intra-muscular), although the drug can also be injected intravenously. Evidence suggests that naloxone does not cause dependency and the drug would have to be used in substantial quantities to have harmful effects.

Under the pilot scheme announced today, families and carers in sixteen cities in England will be provided with training and information on basic life support techniques, overdose awareness (i.e. how to recognise the symptoms and risk factors), and how to administer naloxone safely. The scheme will also encourage drug users to consider the risks associated with their drug use and available drug treatment options.

Responding to today's announcement, DrugScope Chief Executive Martin Barnes said:

"More needs to be done to reduce drug-related deaths in the UK, and this pilot scheme is a welcome move. Naloxone can save lives and is routinely used by paramedics to reverse opiate overdoses. Equipping carers and families with naloxone, and training in how to administer it safely, could make a vital difference in keeping someone alive long enough for an ambulance to arrive.

"Today's family-based pilot is a positive development which improves the coverage of naloxone provision and helps involve families and carers to support a loved one. The majority of drug overdoses happen when the user is in the company of others and in some cases, an overdose may take place while the user is at their family home. However, overdoses often happen while the user is with other drug users and DrugScope would welcome an extension of the pilot to ensure that naloxone and overdose prevention training is provided to drug users and their peers, as well as families and carers."

[1] About the National Treatment Agency pilots

The NTA was setup by the Government in 2001 to improve the availability, capacity and effectiveness of treatment for drug misuse in England. For more information visit: http://www.nta.nhs.uk

The 16 sites who will be running the pilots are:

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust
Bolton Drug and Alcohol Strategy and Commissioning Team & Bolton Drug Service (part of Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust)
Bradford and Airedale Substance Misuse Service in partnership with The Bridge Project
London Central and North West London (CNWL): NHS Foundation Trust Carers Service & Max Glatt Inpatient Detoxification Unit - Ealing) DASH, Hereford
Drugline Lancashire
Durham (Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust) &
Lambeth CDAT- Lorraine Hewitt House (SLAM)
Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust Substance Misuse Services (Southampton City DAAT)
Harbour drug and alcohol service, Plymouth DAAT
KCA (UK), Kent
National Addiction Centre (South London and Maudsley
NHS Foundation Trust)
Newcastle PROPs
Relatives of Drug Abusers (RODA) and Primary Care
Addiction Service Sheffield (Sheffield PCT)
Shropshire Service Users Network (SUN)
Wigan and Leigh Substance Misuse Services (part of Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust)
KCA (UK) and CRI, Kent Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT)

Source
National Treatment Agency