Overdose Prevention: Key Lessons from Our Naloxone Training Session

placement on 19 September, 2024

Two injectable naloxone kits, one is open and shows inside a sealed Prenoxad injection and needle. In the background is a small box of 'nyxoid' - the nasal spray solution.

Last week, MVA held a Naloxone training and harm reduction session for third sector staff and volunteers in Midlothian. The session was delivered by Ross Ballantine, Clinical Support Worker with the Midlothian Substance Use Service, and David Boyd, Harm Reduction Worker from MELD and the Scottish Drugs Forum.

National Context

Scottish mortality rates to drug misuse and related deaths are the highest in Europe. The annual National Records of Scotland report provides insightful statistics of the ongoing drug crisis:

  • In 2023, 1,172 people in Scotland died due to drug-related causes—a 12% increase from the previous year.
  • Opiates and opioids were implicated in 80% of all drug-related deaths.
  • People living in the most deprived areas of Scotland are more than 15 times as likely to die from drug misuse compared to those in the least deprived areas.
  • Drug-related deaths have been steadily rising since 1996, with a much steeper increase since 2013.

This stark reality reinforces the need to raise awareness of harm reduction approaches.

Harm Reduction & Lived Experience

During the session David spoke of his own lived experience, sharing his journey through different support services, the mindset change that led to him to recovery, and the harm reduction work he does now. David’s message echoed a quote from Johann Hari,

“The opposite of addiction is connection.” – Johann Hari

His story serves as a powerful reminder of the role community, support, and understanding play in recovery.

Hearing David’s real-life experiences emphasises the importance of involving those with lived experience in service delivery. It underlines the significant impact that partnerships between mental health professionals, wellbeing staff, and individuals with lived experience can have in delivering more comprehensive support.

Following the discussion on harm reduction, participants were trained on how to recognise an overdose and administer naloxone.

Two injectable naloxone kits, one is open and shows inside a sealed Prenoxad injection and needle. In the background is a small box of 'nyxoid' - the nasal spray solution.

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids in the event of an overdose. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, restoring normal breathing for someone who has stopped or is struggling to breathe due to an overdose. Administration of naloxone provides crucial time for emergency services to arrive and for further treatment to be given. In the UK it is legal for anyone to administer naloxone to anyone for the purpose of saving a life.

Always call 999 if you think someone is having an overdose. Administering naloxone is not a substitute for calling an ambulance.

How is Naloxone Administered?

In Scotland, naloxone kits can come in two forms:

  • Nasal Spray (Nyxoid): A quick and easy method that involves spraying Naloxone into one of the person’s nostrils.
  • Injectable (Prenoxad): A pre-filled syringe that can be injected into the muscle, typically in the thigh, buttock, or upper arm.
Naloxone Explained

Scotland’s National Naloxone Programme

Scotland was the first country in the world to introduce a national naloxone programme. The Scottish Government established the programme in 2010, aiming to reduce opioid-related deaths. Through this initiative, take-home naloxone kits are made widely available to those at risk of overdose, as well as to people who are likely to witness an overdose, such as family members, friends, or workers in the community. The availability of take-home naloxone has become even more crucial as Scotland faces a rise in synthetic drugs and polydrug use, both of which are contributing to the country’s alarming overdose statistics.

Takeaways from the Session

While the session offered practical naloxone training, the broader conversation touched on the challenges faced by third-sector and public services in supporting people with addiction. Cuts in funding resulting in low staff retention and reductions in services, make it difficult to provide consistent, trauma-informed care. Addressing these systemic issues is critical to improving outcomes for service users.

A recent report by the Scottish Drugs Forum gives insights into the experience of people in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), identifying the need to improve treatment. You can read the report here.

Special Thanks

We are incredibly grateful to Ross Ballantine for organizing the training and supplying take-home Naloxone kits, and to David Boyd for sharing his lived experience—his openness brought an important perspective to the session. Ross & David are happy to arrange similar training for organisations & volunteers in Midlothian. Please contact MVA for more details.

Getting the Message Out

As we continue to push forward with harm reduction efforts, it’s vital to raise awareness of harm reduction strategies like the provision of naloxone. Campaigns like #StopTheDeaths and International Overdose Awareness Day aim to amplify this message, ensuring more people understand how they can help prevent overdoses in their communities. You can find out more in the resources linked below.

We can all do something to help prevent drug related deaths.

Relevant Resources

Authored by Ellis Paterson.